Gary Lineker has apologised after sharing a pro-Palestine video featuring an anti-Jewish rat slur, insisting he would 'never knowingly share anything anti-Semitic'.
The BBC Match Of The Day presenter and ex-England captain reposted to his 1.2million Instagram followers a clip featuring an emoji of a rat - prompting condemnation from Jewish groups and calls for him to be axed by the broadcaster.
Lineker, 64, later deleted the footage from his 'Stories' reel on the social media site yesterday afternoon - and a spokesman for the former footballer has now offered an explanation on his behalf.
He claimed ignorance of a notorious anti-Semitic slur about rats when he shared a pro-Palestine video including the smear.
However, speaking today, the retired sports star 'apologised unreservedly' for the post, saying: 'I take full responsibility for this mistake. That image does not reflect my views.'
