Gary Lineker releases statement amid backlash for social media post that saw people demanding him be 'sacked' by the BBC
Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker has released a statement after facing backlash for his social media activity.
Lineker was heavily slammed after sharing a social media post about Zionism that contained an illustration of a rat.
The term 'rat' was historically used in Nazi Germany as a slur against Jewish people.
Zionism refers to the movement to create a Jewish state in the Middle East, corresponding to the historical land of Israel, and thus support for the modern state of Israel.
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After the BBC faced calls to sack Lineker, the former England international has now released a statement.
He said: "On Instagram I reposted material which I have since learned contained offensive references. I very much regret these references.
"I would never knowingly share anything antisemitic. It goes against everything I believe in."
The Match of the Day presenter said he deleted the post "as soon as I became aware of the issue".
Lineker added: "Whilst I strongly believe in the importance of speaking out on humanitarian issues, including the tragedy unfolding in Gaza, I also know that how we do so matters.
"I take full responsibility for this mistake. That image does not reflect my views. It was an error on my part for which I apologise unreservedly."
After Lineker first shared the post, the Board of Deputies of British Jews stated that the BBC should 'ask him to leave now rather than allowing him to dictate his own terms'.
A spokesperson said: "He has caused great offence with this video – particularly with his egregious use of a rat emoji to illustrate Zionists."
Meanwhile, the director-general of the BBC, Tim Davie, was asked whether Lineker's social media activity had broken the broadcaster's guidelines.
He replied: "The BBC's reputation is held by everyone, and when someone makes a mistake, it costs us.
"I think we absolutely need people to be exemplars of the BBC values and follow our social media policy. It's as simple as that."
Topics: Gary Lineker, Match Of The Day, Football
Marcus Chan