Lineker leaving BBC soccer show ''Match of the Day''

London, Nov 12 (AP) Former England striker Gary Lineker, the BBC's highest-paid presenter, will step down from his role on its flagship soccer show “Match of the Day.”
     Lineker will finish up at the end of the season, but has signed a contract extension that will see him host the national broadcaster's coverage of the FA Cup and the 2026 World Cup.
     “After 25 seasons Gary is stepping down from MOTD. We want to thank him for everything he has done for the show, which continues to attract millions of viewers each week,” Director of BBC Sport Alex Kay-Jelski said in a statement on Tuesday.
     The 63-year-old Lineker earns 1.35 million pounds ($1.7 million) a year and has hosted MOTD since 1999.
     He has courted controversy over his political views but has remained hugely popular.
     Lineker recently launched his own successful podcast production company, which includes shows such as “The Rest is Politics” and “The Rest is Football,” which he co-hosts with Alan Shearer and Micah Richards. (AP) APA
APA

(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)