It was a docket of furore that distinguished Gary Neville throughout the weekend. A fan protest was unfolded during Salford City’s 1–0 win over Oldham Athletic, in which former Manchester United defender and Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville was singled out for criticism.
As a result of the pitch invasion at Moor Lane, three people were detained after security staff removed them from the playing field. In an email to The Independent, the far-right political group Britain First said, “We linked up with local Salford patriots to put on a show for the fans.” In the meantime, a group of protesters set fire to a banner bearing the words “Gary Neville is a traitor,” while wearing t-shirts of the same phrase.
The riot results from a social media video of Neville, which he shot in response to a series of anti-Semitic attacks in Manchester and posted on his Twitter account. He called out “angry, middle-aged, white men” as the main source of the division in the U.K., comments which were fiercely opposed by right-wing groups and also led to calls for his removal from Sky Sports.
Neville also said that far-right movements have been using the Union Jack as a “weapon” — a viewpoint that reportedly motivated the flag-waving demonstration on Saturday. “I really do love my country, I really do love Manchester, I really do love England,” said Neville. “But people don’t suddenly start putting flags up if they’re not sending a message.”
