Colin Sheridan: World has not seen the last of Gary Lineker

Using his platform to denounce the greatest humanitarian catastrophe of the 21st century put a target on his back, but Lineker’s next chapter may well be his most fascinating

Gary Lineker left the BBC after apologising for re-posting a pro-Palestinian video on Instagram that included a rat emoji. Picture: Jack Taylor/Getty

It’s an irony that writes itself: The professional footballer who played over 600 games for club and country, without ever being booked, gets dismissed for causing trouble at work.

Even then, his dismissal is a kind of self-sacrifice. He walked before the red card was out of the referee’s pocket, head bowed, his hand raised in apology for a tackle his manager would argue he never needed to make.