Summary
Gary Lineker, a TV presenter, apologized after sharing a social media post that was criticized for being offensive. The post included a reference to Zionism and an image of a rat, which some found antisemitic. Lineker removed the post and stated that he did not intend to offend anyone.
Key Facts
- Gary Lineker shared a social media post with a rat image and a reference to Zionism.
- He apologized and said he did not realize the post contained offensive content.
- The post was criticized as antisemitic due to the rat image's historical use as a slur against Jews.
- Lineker deleted the post after being made aware of the issue.
- He emphasized that his actions did not reflect his views and took full responsibility.
- The BBC's director general reminded staff to follow social media rules following the incident.
- Lineker has faced social media criticism before, including a temporary BBC suspension in 2023.
- The BBC updated social media rules for high-profile presenters like Lineker to maintain impartiality.
