Lineker sticks to his views but regrets harm caused to BBC

GARY Lineker has said he thinks the BBC wanted him to leave Match Of The Day - with the former England footballer adding that he "didn't like the damage" done by his controversial comments on social media.

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The 64-year-old outgoing MOTD host will leave the corporation after fronting its coverage of the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada. Lineker, who has worked as a presenter on the highlights programme since 1999, told the BBC's Amol Rajan: "It's time [to leave]. I've done it for a long time, it's been brilliant, it's been great