Gary Lineker was supposed to interview Mohamed Salah in the days leading up to his final appearance as Match of the Day host, but the chat was cancelled by BBC bosses
22:27, 01 Jun 2025Updated 22:40, 01 Jun 2025
BBC Sport presenter Gary Lineker looks on
An insider said the BBC axed the interview "rather than risk possible editorial issues"(Image: undefined via Getty Images)
Gary Lineker’s bitter feud with the BBC deepened in his last days as the broadcaster blocked his planned final interview with Mohamed Salah.
In the lead-up to his last stint as Match of the Day host, Lineker had planned to interview the Liverpool star, but BBC chiefs pulled the interview and failed to reschedule, fearing the talk might veer towards Gaza.
Lineker was the face of BBC football, hosting Match of the Day since 1999, and fronting the channel’s World Cup, FA Cup and Sports Personality of the Year coverage. Controversy trailed him in his final stretch at the broadcaster, leading to a brief suspension in March 2023 over government critiques.
Presenter Gary Lineker who will leave the BBC after this weekend's Match Of The Day, it has been confirmed
Lineker was meant to continue until 2026 but was pushed out earlier this month(Image: PA)
Initially he had planned to finishing hosting MOTD but remain with the BBC until 2026, but a reposted Instagram sparked an early exit.
According to The Sun, inside sources claim Lineker's sit-down with Salah was scrapped by Alex Kay-Jelski, the BBC's director of sport, for fears the pair would say something controversial about Gaza.
The insider revealed: "The plan was for the interview to be shown across the BBC the weekend of Gary's final Match Of The Day.
"That would include on Football Focus the day before as well as online and on social media. Out of nowhere, it got cancelled. Some people think they didn't want Gary and Mo to talk about Gaza.
"Salah has spoken out in his support for Palestinians living in Gaza and Gary has made his feelings clear too. It felt like it may have come up naturally in conversation.
"It seems they axed it rather than risk possible editorial issues. They'd only just overcome one storm so to face another would have been a nightmare."
Mo Salah
Salah has previously called for an end to the war in Gaza(Image: PA)
The BBC denied these allegations, stating: "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."
However, an insider disclosed: "A cross-platform interview with the [Premier League] champions' star player could have aired anytime. Salah wanted to speak to Gary so to axe it entirely seems short-sighted."
In his final Match of the Day, aired on May 25, Lineker was moved to tears after a heartfelt tribute led by Alan Shearer and Micah Richards in the studio.
An emotional video montage was played, starting from his illustrious playing career from Leicester to Barcelona. Post-retirement, it traced his journey as a presenter, stepping into the formidable shoes of legendary host Des Lynam.
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Several colleagues including Richards, Shearer, Alan Hansen and Mark Lawrenson all lauded Lineker both as a friend, a player and a presenter. His sons also appeared, praising his prowess as a dad as well as a broadcaster.
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