Gary lineker's last match of the day – what time it starts, comments on bbc exit

GARY LINEKER MAKES HIS FINAL MATCH OF THE DAY APPEARANCE ON SUNDAY EVENING, HAVING CUT TIES WITH THE BBC AFTER A DECORATED 26-YEAR TENURE FRONTING THE FLAGSHIP PREMIER LEAGUE HIGHLIGHTS SHOW

08:00, 25 May 2025 Gary Lineker is poised to make his final appearance on Match of the Day on Sunday night. The former Leicester City and Tottenham star made his debut with the BBC flagship

back in 1999, replacing the legendary Des Lynam. And while Lineker's name has become almost synonymous with the Premier League highlights show, Sunday's instalment covering the

final day of the 2024/25 Premier League season will be his last altogether. Lineker announced back in November that he was set to take a step back from MOTD at the end of the season. He was

due to front the Beeb's FA Cup coverage next season and the 2026 World Cup come the summer. Late last year, a statement from director of BBC Sport Alex Kay-Jelski read: "Gary is a

world-class presenter, and we’re delighted that he’ll lead our coverage of the next World Cup and continue to lead our live coverage of the FA Cup. After 25 seasons Gary is stepping down

from MOTD. "We want to thank him for everything he has done for the show, which continues to attract millions of viewers each week. He’ll be hugely missed on the show but we’re so happy

he is staying with the BBC to present live football." However, plans were completely uprooted on Monday when Lineker announced that he will sever ties with the BBC altogether following

his online controversy. Lineker faced backlash last week for sharing a social media post on Zionism which included the illustration of a rat – something which has historically been

considered as an anti-semitic insult. As a result, Lineker announced that he will no longer work on the BBC's FA Cup or World Cup coverage, and that Sunday's show will be his

farewell. As for the 2025/26 campaign, he will be replaced by the well-respected trio of Mark Chapman, Kelly Cates and Gabby Logan, while the BBC's FA Cup and World Cup plans in terms

of who will lead presenting them are yet to be decided. With an undeniably emotional episode of Match of the Day lying ahead for Lineker, _MIRROR FOOTBALL_ breaks down what time the show

starts, what channel it's on, which teams will be featured, and what the pundit has said this week about his exit from the BBC... WHAT TIME IS MATCH OF THE DAY ON SUNDAY? While Match of

the Day usually commands a Saturday evening slot on BBC One, this weekend's showing will take place at 10.30pm on Sunday. This is due to every game this weekend taking place on Sunday

with the 2024/25 Premier League season coming to an end. All 20 clubs in England's top flight kick off simultaneously at 4pm, as is tradition. The show is due to conclude at 12.10am,

where Lineker will say his final goodbyes to viewers. Close pals Alan Shearer and Micah Richards will be the other pundits in the studio on the night. WHICH GAMES WILL BE FEATURED ON MATCH

OF THE DAY? Every single Premier League team is in action come 4pm Sunday, so fans across the UK will be treated to a bumper highlights show. Bournemouth face a relegated Leicester City at

the Vitality Stadium, while a mid-table Fulham face Pep Guardiola's Manchester City at Craven Cottage. Meanwhile, Wolves play host to Brentford, Nottingham Forest and Chelsea battle it

out for a place in the Champions League, a struggling Manchester United wave goodbye to a dismal season by welcoming Aston Villa to Old Trafford, and a rock-bottom Southampton face Arsenal

as their last opponents in the Premier League for at least another season. Newcastle welcome Everton to St. James' Park, Premier League champions Liverpool receive a guard of honour

from Crystal Palace at Anfield, a relegated Ipswich Town face West Ham United, and 17th-place Tottenham return to home soil after their midweek Europa League final win in Bilbao to face

Brighton. The relegation places and title are both already decided, so the main focus is on the remaining spots up for grabs to qualify for the Champions League and other European places.

WHAT HAS GARY LINEKER SAID ABOUT HIS BBC EXIT? In a statement on Monday pertaining to his social media criticism, Lineker said: "Hi everyone, some personal news. Last week I shared a

post here on Instagram that contained an emoji that has awful connotations. Unfortunately, I did not see the emoji. "If I had, I would never, ever have shared it. The minute I was made

aware, I quickly deleted the post and went on to make an apology. I would like once again to say I'm sorry unreservedly for the hurt and the upset caused. It was a genuine mistake and

oversight, but I should have been more diligent. I know that. "I've stood up for minorities and humanitarian issues, and against all forms of racism all of my life, including, of

course, anti-semitism - which I absolutely abhor. There's no place for it and never should be. "So I think it's best for all concern that I step down from BBC presenting

duties altogether and not do next season's FA Cup or World Cup. The final day of the Premier League season on Sunday will be my last show. "It's been a pleasure and a huge

privilege working with the BBC for 30 years, especially hosting Match of the Day - a programme that is so close to my heart and an integral part of my life. I would like to thank all of the

quite brilliant, talented and lovely people both in front and behind the camera, that I have worked alongside for three decades. You're the absolute best. Article continues below

"The relationship with the BBC has been long and wonderful, but it's the right time for the organisation and myself to go our separate ways. Thank you also to all of you, for your

incredible support and love over so many years, it means the world to me. I'll see you all on Sunday." _Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror

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