Sky Sports 'make Gary Neville decision' after Union flag video

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Evening Standard

·6 octobre 2025

Sky Sports 'make Gary Neville decision' after Union flag video

The former Man United defender sparked controversy in some quarters

Gary Neville is not expected to face any action from Sky Sports after sparking controversy by claiming “angry middle-aged white men” are dividing the nation by raising Union flags.

Vidéos OneFootball

Former Manchester United defender Neville took to social media over the weekend after two men were killed during a terror attack at a synagogue in Crumpsall, Greater Manchester.

Sharing a video of himself talking about the incident, Neville moved on to the flying of Union and St George’s Cross flags, which is part of an online campaign called Operation Raise the Colours that, according to advocacy group Hope Not Hate, was co-founded by Andrew Currien who reportedly has ties with far-right activist Tommy Robinson.

Some say the flags are simple displays of pride and patriotism – while others say they it is a divisive campaign driven by xenophobia directed towards migrants.

"Seeing the news last night and the news this morning dominated by the horrific attacks within the Jewish community, just a mile from here," Neville said, while walking through Manchester.

The division that’s being created is absolutely disgusting. Mainly created by angry, middle-aged white men, who know exactly what they’re doing

Gary Neville

“When I was driving to Salford City last night, going down Littleton Road, I seen probably 50 or 60 Union Jack flags. 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.

“Funnily enough, on one of my development sites last week there was a Union Jack flag put up and I took it down instantly.”

He added: "I played for my country 85 times, I love my country. I love Manchester and I love England, but I've been building in this city for 15 to 20 years and there's no one put a Union Jack flag up in the last 15 to 20 years, so why do you have to put one up now?

"Quite clearly, it's sending a message to everybody that there's something you don't like.

"The Union Jack flag being used in a negative fashion is not right and I'm a proud supporter of England, Great Britain, of our country, and I'll champion it anywhere in the world as one of the greatest places to live.

"But I think we need to check ourselves, bring ourselves back to a neutral point, because we're being pulled right and left and we don't need to be, at all."

Neville's comments sparked a backlash from some, including Reform UK MP Lee Anderson who called the defender-turned-pundit "completely out of touch".

Anderson added: "I believe in free speech but on this occasion just shut up ... you had no problem in playing in front of the England flag. And the middle-aged English men you talk about are the same type of men that paid your wages."

Neville has since reacted to such comments.

The Daily Mail report on Monday that Neville, who was working for the broadcaster on Sunday, will face no action from Sky for his remarks.