Gary Lineker - man of integrity

Anniebach

Seems some people don’t see Jews as vermin so didn’t see him
as ‘a man of integrity’

I don’t know anyone who does see Jewish people as vermin

Is that the significance of the rat emoji?

How disgusting!

Seems some people don’t see Jews as vermin so didn’t see him
as ‘a man of integrity’

Spot on analysis. He was such a great football commentator and host and you can't erase those achievements or peoples enjoyment of them.

There is speculation about"what next" from the sensible (podcasting) to the wild ("I'm a celebrity") but I imagine he will take his time, its all been very sudden in one way, in another, not so, as he has been more political off BBC screen as time has gone by.

Casdon

As a football host and commentator Lineker was the best, none of the others touch him. He has always been outspoken, but has now put his foot in it one too many times, and he has held his hands up. As far as I’m concerned that is it, and I hope it doesn’t break him.

👏👏👏👏

JaneJudge

I didn’t know the rat was antisemitic either
I just thought it meant rat. So many emojis I don’t know the meaning of like Purple Heart fgs all the hearts mean different things. I am just not woke enough

It’s nothing to do with being woke 😂😂😂😂 I’m guessing it’s more the younger lot who attaché meanings to all the emojis - I had no idea about the rat, but then again I was late to the “aubergine” party too. 😂😂

As a football host and commentator Lineker was the best, none of the others touch him. He has always been outspoken, but has now put his foot in it one too many times, and he has held his hands up. As far as I’m concerned that is it, and I hope it doesn’t break him.

Lucy Connolly is in prison for less

Terminology is important.

eazybee

But this isn't the first time Lineker has been reproved for his comments, is it?
Why use a rat as an emoji?
Is the conflict in Gaza officially a genocide?

All done to provoke.
Integrity?
No.

"Is the conflict in Gaza officially a genocide?"

Well it's ongoing so, no, not officially (nor was the Balkans or the Nazi atrocities officially recognised while they were ongoing).

But as it's ongoing, there's a chance to speak out which would be pretty useless if it's come to its grim conclusion & we decide after the event it was genocide.

Sorry wrong quote but you know which one I meant.

Bukkie

I have heard people say he is one of the nastiest, rude celebrities about. Apparently he was absolutely foul when people were sending support and good wishes for his young son who had been diagnosed with leukaemia.

My DH has met him several times and worked with him. He thought he was a nice guy.

emoji translated the Purple Heart seems fine though 😂

Purple Heart fgs all the hearts mean different things.
Not sure about those.

I do remember a student I knew taking purple hearts and it was also an award for valour in the US!!

I didn’t know the rat was antisemitic either
I just thought it meant rat. So many emojis I don’t know the meaning of like Purple Heart fgs all the hearts mean different things. I am just not woke enough

Bukkie

Allira- No I admit I don't really know but plenty of people I know have met him and all of them have said he is horrible.

So more hearsay.

Never took any notice of him really. Never listened to him. However, I didn't know that a rat was associated with Jews. I bet a lot of people don't.

* Wyllow* the papers print what he told them, I very much doubt there had been no contact with the BBC,
when it first hit the news the BBC said their relationship was
untenable
Why would he have a rat with his views on Jews ? what was his
thinking ?

I can’t believe that so many of you educated people have never seen or heard about the nazi propaganda film Eternal Jew depicting Jews as vermin.

I include Lineker as he was a grammar school boy and further played for Spurs, deemed a team well supported by the Jewish community.

Allira- No I admit I don't really know but plenty of people I know have met him and all of them have said he is horrible.

Years ago DH was at a corporate day and GL was there.He said appeared was arrogant and off hand and yes anyone can have an off day but tbh since then I haven't particularly wanted to listen to him.And working for the BBC such a huge salary he should have stopped being so outspoken.He's made a fortune and will no doubt continue to do so I don't have any sympathy for him.

Several newspapers (Telegraph, Sky, Guardian) are carrying this video where Gary Lineker announces he is going - I'll give you the accessible one.

www.theguardian.com/football/2025/may/19/gary-lineker-to-leave-the-bbc-next-week-after-antisemitism-row

I definitely believe he did not see or recognise the significance of the emoji. I also think that his gradually increasing interests on speaking up on a number of issues, beyond those mentioned upthread does preclude him leaving the role he has had with the BBC, although the BBC guidelines only relate to employees fronting News and Politics programmes.

AGAA4

I didn't know a rat was used to be antisemitic.
Rat was used in the wars to describe a deserter.
Roland Rat was a much loved children's toy a in the 1970s/80s. Was he antisemitic.
I don't know much about Linekar but I can see how it could have been a
mistake.

I didn't know either. It's a new one to me.

I always quite liked Gary Lineker but thought, as someone receiving a very large salary from licence payers, he should keep his opinions to himself.

Bukkie

I have heard people say he is one of the nastiest, rude celebrities about. Apparently he was absolutely foul when people were sending support and good wishes for his young son who had been diagnosed with leukaemia.

I have heard
Apparently

So you don't real,y know.

An agreement, if he hadn’t said he would leave it would have been dismissal

The BBC will have given him the opportunity to ‘resign’.