Manchester United and England legend Gary Neville is facing intense scrutiny after he spoke out against ‘middle-aged white men’ just hours after two Jewish people, Adrian Daulby and Melvin Cravitz, were killed in a terrorist attack on a Manchester synagogue. The former defender’s thoughts have been opposed by many.
Those who follow Judaism were celebrating the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur when Jihad Al-Shamie, a British citizen of Syrian descent, rammed his car into innocent bystanders before stabbing the two aforementioned victims at Heaton Park’s Hebrew Congregation. Al-Shamie was shot dead at the scene.
In shock at the horrific attack, Neville took to LinkedIn to have his say – and despite the likes of talkSPORT host Simon Jordan, Reform UK’s Nigel Farage and former Southampton Matt Le Tissier opposing Neville’s remarks and calling for punishment, Sky Sports are not expecting to sack the defender-turned-pundit.
Gary Neville’s Hotel Surrounded by Flags
Neville, who played for England on 85 occasions, claimed that “angry middle-aged white men” are creating a divide by raising Union Jack flags. “When I was driving to Salford City last night, going down Littleton Road, I saw probably 50 or 60 Union Jack flags,” he said on a video posted onto his LinkedIn page.
“And on the way back, I went down the parallel road, Bury New Road, which has got the Jewish community right at its heart and they’re out on the streets, defiant, not hiding or in fear. I just kept thinking as I was driving home last night that we’re all being turned on each other. And the division that’s being created is absolutely disgusting. Mainly created by angry, middle-aged white men, who know exactly what they’re doing.”
The former right-back also stated that he “instantly” removed a Union Jack flag from one of his Manchester building sites, St Michael’s office redevelopment site on Bootle Street. As a result, Neville’s hotel – Hotel Football, which is situated on the grounds surrounding Old Trafford – has been visited by those of opposing views. Not only have they draped Union Jack flags on the lampposts outside, but they also held up a banner which read: “Gary Neville. Traitor scum. Own goal Nev.”
Britain First Co-leader Ashlea Simon also combined forces with a Salford-based group in an attempt to ‘drown Gary Neville in British flags’. “These are just white men who love their country, who love their people, and they’re sick of being demonised for the colour of their skin. These men today are putting up plenty of flags.
“It’s white, working-class men who made him [Neville] a millionaire; it was white, working-class men that went to his football matches; it’s white, working-class men that stay at his hotel. So we won’t be quiet, Salford is our city and we’ll fly our flag proudly.”
The builder, who was ordered to remove the Union Jack flag by 50-year-old Neville, has spoken out. Exclusively speaking to the Daily Mail, he said: “He was walking past when he saw the flag flying high on the fifth floor along with a Moldovan flag and another one.
“He got on the radio to one of the workers and started asking why the Union Flag was up there. He only mentioned the Union flag, not the other two – and said it had to come down. Obviously, he is the boss, and we are not going to argue with him. But Union Flags are normally put on building sites. It happens all over the country.
“Gary Neville played for England, but he won’t let us put a flag up to celebrate the country where we live. It’s caused a lot of anger. This wasn’t discussed, we were just told. He didn’t mention the Moldovan flag or the other. He only had a problem with the Union Flag.”
Footage of the Bury-born businessman not signing the National Anthem has also emerged amid his comments. Later explaining his decision, Neville said: “I didn’t sing it the first time I played for England. Partly because I thought, ‘I’m serious about my work and I’m not signing before a game’.”