Gary Lineker apologises for sharing rat Zionism post

PA Media

Gary Lineker has "apologised unreservedly" after being criticised for sharing a social media post about Zionism that included an illustration of a rat.

"On Instagram I reposted material which I have since learned contained offensive references," he said in a statement. "I very much regret these references.

"I would never knowingly share anything antisemitic. It goes against everything I believe in." The Match of the Day presenter said he deleted the post "as soon as I became aware of the issue".

A rat has historically been used as an antisemitic insult, referring to language used by Nazi Germany to characterise Jews.