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The BBC reportedly cancelled what was set to be Gary Lineker's final Match of the Day interview just before his last appearance on the programme. Lineker, 64, recently stepped down from

the renowned highlights show after a 25-year tenure. His departure followed an apology for sharing an anti-Semitic post on social media, leading to a mutual agreement with the BBC to part

ways this year, rather than after the 2026 World Cup as initially planned. According to The Sun, Lineker's farewell interview – which was scheduled to be with Liverpool star Mohamed

Salah – was abruptly cancelled, despite the Premier League superstar wanting to chat with the presenter. The report suggests that the BBC may have had concerns that Lineker might make

controversial comments about Gaza during his conversation with Salah. A source said to the newspaper that the interview was intended to be aired across Match of the Day and Football Focus

during Lineker's final weekend on the show. But it was called off by Alex Kay-Jelski, the BBC's director of sport. The source added: "Out of nowhere, it got cancelled. Some

people think they didn't want Gary and Mo to talk about Gaza. "Salah 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. "It seems they axed it rather than risk possible editorial issues. They'd only just overcome one storm so to face another would

have been a nightmare." However, the BBC offered a different explanation, stating to the Mirror: "The interview was cancelled because it was planned to air after Gary's last

Match of the Day. It would be wrong to suggest anything else." In his emotional farewell on his final Match of the Day, Lineker expressed his gratitude to everyone he came across during

his time on the show. He said: "Let 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. "Also, 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. "Rather 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. "And 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."