Former footballer The Sky Sports commentator explains he took down a British flag being 'used in a negative fashion'.
The former Manchester United star disclosed that he had taken down a Union Jack from one of his construction sites in Manchester because it was being "used in a negative fashion," as he urged his followers to question what it means to be loyal to one's country.
A Video Message
In a online message published at the end of the week, the ex-player turned businessman said he believed that "we’re all being turned on each other," attributing much of the blame for the divide on "irate white men of a certain age … who know exactly what they’re doing|who are fully aware of their actions|who understand the consequences of their behavior}."
Different Neighborhood Views
He described driving down a road in Salford, and seeing "dozens of British flags" on that stretch of his journey. He then juxtaposed this against his trip home through the parallel road, Bury New Road, where the Jewish populace were "visible outdoors, standing strong, unafraid."
Action Taken
Gary Neville, who has established a vast property empire in Manchester since leaving professional football in 2011, said he ordered the removal of a British flag being displayed on one of his building sites.
"Funnily enough on one of my construction sites last week there was a union jack flag hoisted and I ordered its prompt removal," he said.
On Patriotism
"Certain viewers may be thinking and thinking: 'Gary, you lack patriotism.' I represented my nation on 85 occasions, I am proud of my country, I love Manchester and I have deep love for England," he affirmed.
Gary Neville, now 50, said that in the period he has worked in the city, he had not observed Union Jacks at the current rate and asked why this was happening.
"The Union Jack displayed in a divisive way is not right and I’m a proud supporter of the nation, of the United Kingdom, of this country and will promote it globally as a top-tier location for life," he asserted.
Urging National Introspection
"Yet, I feel it is crucial we reflect," he continued, "check ourselves and start to think about bringing ourselves back to a neutral point because we are being tugged in opposing directions and there is no need for such polarization."
Broader Commentary
The Sky Sports commentator has frequently voiced his opinions on societal and political matters, such as stating people should "despise" the unfavorable employment situations for overseas laborers in Qatar and NHS staff in the UK.
Togetherness Through Sport
In his LinkedIn video, Neville discussed the diversity of football, saying that he played with people from across the UK and from around the world. "We formed a wonderful team, completely unified," he stated.
Post-Brexit Impact
He said he blamed Brexit for its "harmful impact" on the country, and said the "narrative" of discord was becoming "highly perilous."
"These foolish individuals that are disseminating offensive rhetoric in whatever form and mistreatment in all its forms, we need to cease elevating them," he asserted.
"We must stop elevating our voices towards them and it needs to stop now and restore a land of love, of peace, of accord and unite as one once more."
