![\"Gary](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/2_2018-FWA-Footballer-of-the-Year-Dinner-Landmark-Hotel.jpg\")
Gary Lineker’s interview with Mo Salah was axed(Image: PA)<\/p>\nGary Lineker presented his final ever Match of the Day last weekend after leaving the BBC early but a new report has now claimed one of his final interviews was brutally axed<\/p>\n
22:07, 01 Jun 2025Updated 22:41, 01 Jun 2025<\/p>\n
Gary Lineker’s interview with Mo Salah was axed(Image: PA)<\/p>\n
The BBC decided to cancel what would have been Gary Lineker<\/a>‘s final Match of the Day<\/a> interview shortly before his farewell appearance on the show, it has emerged.<\/p>\n Lineker, 64, bowed out from the iconic highlights show last weekend<\/a> after 25 years at the helm. His exit from the corporation came shortly after the former England star issued an apology for sharing an anti-Semitic post<\/a> on social media, prompting him and the BBC<\/a> to come to terms on an agreement to part ways this year instead of after the 2026 World Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n And it has now emerged, via The Sun<\/a>, that Lineker’s final interview in his role – which was due to be with Mohamed Salah<\/a>, the Liverpool<\/a> talisman – was axed at short notice.<\/p>\n The report speculates that the move may have been made by the BBC amid concerns that Lineker ‘would say something controversial about Gaza’ during his chat with Salah.<\/p>\n A source confirmed to the publication that the interview was due to be played across Match of the Day and Football<\/a> Focus over the weekend of Lineker’s final show before Alex Kay-Jelski, the BBC’s director of sport, pulled the plug.<\/p>\n READ MORE: Transfer news LIVE: Man Utd announce Cunha, Liverpool suffer Wirtz setback, Partey in Arsenal exit talks<\/a>READ MORE: Armed riot police clash with PSG fans at Champions League parade on second day of chaos<\/a><\/p>\n They added: \u201cOut of nowhere, it got cancelled. Some people think they didn\u2019t want Gary and Mo to talk about Gaza.<\/p>\n \u201cSalah 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.<\/p>\n \u201cIt seems they axed it rather than risk possible editorial issues. They\u2019d only just overcome one storm so to face another would have been a nightmare.\u201d<\/p>\n The BBC, however, said of the decision: \u201cThe interview was cancelled because it was planned to air after Gary\u2019s last Match of the Day. It would be wrong to suggest anything else.\u201d<\/p>\n Lineker bid an emotional farewell to viewers at the end of his final show in the hotseat, saying: \u201cLet me take this opportunity to thank all of the other pundits that I’ve had the pleasure of working with over the last 25 years, you’ve made my job so much easier.<\/p>\n \u201cAlso, a huge thank you to those you don’t see at home: the work that goes into making this iconic show is a huge team effort. From the editors, to the analysis team, from the commentators to the floor managers, from the producers to the camera operators, from the PAs to the subs, thank you all, you’re the very best.<\/p>\n \u201cRather like my football career, everyone else did all the hard work and I got the plaudits. It’s been an absolute privilege to host Match of the Day for a quarter of a century. It’s been utterly joyous. I’d like to wish Gabby, Mark and Kelly for when they sit in this chair – the programme is in the best of hands.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd my final thank you goes to all of you. Thank you for watching. 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.\u201d<\/p>\n Join our new WhatsApp community<\/a> and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package<\/p>\n This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more<\/a> \u00a343<\/p>\n \u00a335<\/p>\n Sky<\/p>\n![\"Mohamed](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/0_salah-interview-1.jpg\")
It’s been claimed an interview with Mohamed Salah was axed by the BBC<\/p>\n![\"Match](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/3_Screenshot-2025-05-26-at-084032-1.jpg\")
An emotional Lineker signed off from Match of the Day last weekend(Image: BBC)<\/p>\n![\"Content](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/1745569994_974_0_Sky-Factbox.jpg\")
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