Diego Maradona may have owned the 1986 World Cup, winning the trophy and earning the title of best player of the tournament. But the top scorer of that World Cup? An Englishman—Gary Lineker.
Widely regarded as one of England’s finest strikers, Lineker transitioned from the pitch to the screen after retirement, becoming a well-known football pundit and presenter. For 25 years, he hosted the BBC’s flagship football show Match of the Day. But now, Lineker finds himself at the center of controversy—and out of a job.
The reason? A social media post expressing solidarity with Palestine.
Just a week after he shared that post, the BBC terminated Lineker’s contract. The decision came immediately after the final matchday of the English Premier League season, ending a 25-year association. He had originally been under contract with the BBC until the 2026 World Cup—but that agreement is no longer in effect.
The controversy stemmed from a social media story where Lineker voiced support for Palestine. Although he later deleted the post and expressed regret, stating that the image he shared unintentionally included a symbol historically linked to antisemitism, the damage was done. The 64-year-old acknowledged the oversight and apologized.
Lineker’s dismissal has sparked a wider debate on freedom of expression. Human rights advocates argue that his case is part of a growing trend in Western media: individuals who criticize Israel or express pro-Palestinian views are being silenced. Similar instances have occurred across the U.S. and Europe, involving journalists, academics, and even entertainers who lost their jobs after speaking out in support of Palestine.
Despite the pressure faced by the BBC, Lineker has received overwhelming public support online. Fans, journalists, former players, and political commentators have rallied behind him, using hashtags like #IStandWithGary and #FreeSpeechMatters to show solidarity with the former England striker.
UA / TDS
