Gary Lineker Apologises After Mistakenly Reposting Video Featuring Anti-Semitic Trope

Gary Lineker pictured at Advertising Week last monthGary Lineker has issued an apology after inadvertently reposting a video featuring anti-Semitic imagery.Earlier this week, the outgoing Match Of The Day host reshared a video titled “Zionism explained in less than two mins”, which spoke about the current conflict in Gaza.However, as reported by Deadline, this video was overlaid with an image of a cartoon rat, an anti-Semitic trope which dates back to Nazi Germany.The US outlet added that screenshots of the video have been flagged as “hate speech” on X (the platform formerly known as Twitter).In a statement on Wednesday, Gary said: “On Instagram I reposted material which I have since learned contained offensive references. I very much regret these references.“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.”The former England striker added: “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.”Gary Lineker at a National Theatre gala last yearEarlier this week, a representative for Gary Lineker said that he “did not notice” the rat in the video he had reposted, and “would not have made any connection” even if he had.Prior to Gary’s statement, the BBC’s director general Tim Davie was asked about the controversy while speaking at an event in Salford.He responded (as reported by The Guardian): “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’s values and follow our social media policy. Simple as that.”In 2023, Gary found himself at the centre of a media storm when social media posts criticising the former Conservative government’s policy on migration were found to be in breach of the BBC’s guidelines around impartiality.Because of this, the BBC’s leadership team ruled that Gary would not present that week’s edition of Match Of The Day, which led to several of his BBC Sport colleagues pulling out of their own presenting duties in solidarity.Following the widespread backlash against the BBC’s decision, Gary was reinstated days later, after which Tim Davie announced there would be an independent review of the broadcaster’s social media guidelines around impartiality.READ MORE:Netflix's New Fred And Rose West Documentary Has Critics Saying The Same ThingRobert De Niro Kicks Off Cannes Film Festival With Blistering Speech About 'Philistine' TrumpSaturday Night Live Comedian Finally Reacts To Aimee Lou Wood's Comments About 'Mean' Sketch

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