A planned farewell interview between outgoing “Match of the Day” host Gary Lineker and Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah was reportedly cancelled by the BBC shortly before Lineker’s final episode, according to a report by The Sun newspaper. Sources cited suggest the decision may have been influenced by concerns that the conversation could touch upon the ongoing war in Gaza, a topic on which both public figures have previously commented.
Lineker, 64, stepped down from his role as the host of the flagship football programme last weekend after 25 years, following an earlier-than-expected agreement to part ways with the BBC. This decision came in the wake of Lineker apologising for sharing a social media post deemed antisemitic.
The scheduled interview with Salah was reportedly intended to be a significant segment for Lineker’s final “Match of the Day” and “Football Focus” appearances. However, it was pulled by the BBC at short notice. An unnamed source told The Sun, “Some people think they didn’t want Gary and Mo to talk about Gaza. It felt like it may have come up naturally in conversation. It seems they axed it rather than risk possible editorial issues.” Both Salah and Lineker have publicly expressed support for Palestinians in Gaza.
The BBC has denied any political motivation behind the cancellation. A spokesperson for the corporation stated: “The interview was cancelled because it was planned to air after Gary’s last Match of the Day. It would be wrong to suggest anything else.”
During his final “Match of the Day” appearance, Lineker delivered an emotional message, thanking colleagues and viewers: “It’s been an absolute privilege to host Match of the Day for a quarter of a century. It’s been utterly joyous… Thank you for all of your love and support over the years. It’s been so special – and I’m sorry that your team was always on last. Time to say goodbye. Goodbye.”
This is not the first instance of Lineker’s public commentary leading to reported friction with BBC management regarding its editorial guidelines. In March 2023, he was temporarily suspended for criticising the UK government’s asylum policy, but was reinstated following a widespread boycott by his colleagues.
Earlier in 2025, Lineker was among numerous signatories of an open letter urging the BBC to rebroadcast a documentary focused on Gaza, reflecting his continued engagement with humanitarian issues related to the region. The BBC had previously faced criticism for withdrawing one documentary about children in Gaza, “Gaza: How to Survive a Warzone,” and delaying the broadcast of another, “Gaza: Medics Under Fire,” which was eventually cleared for release in February 2025. Critics, including Lineker, had accused the broadcaster of censorship in these instances.
The reported cancellation of the Salah interview adds a further dimension to the circumstances surrounding Lineker’s departure from the BBC.
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