Retired footballer The Sky Sports commentator says he ordered the removal of a union flag being 'used in a harmful manner'.
The former Manchester United star disclosed that he personally removed a union flag from one of his construction sites in Manchester because it was being "used in a negative fashion," as he encouraged his audience to reconsider the definition to be patriotic.
A Video Message
In a social media video shared Friday, the sports pundit and developer said he believed that "society is being turned against itself," placing a significant portion of the responsibility for the division on "angry, middle-aged white men … who know exactly what they’re doing|who are fully aware of their actions|who understand the consequences of their behavior}."
A Tale of Two Roads
He recounted traveling along Littleton Road, and seeing "an estimated fifty to sixty Union Jacks" on that stretch of his journey. He then compared that with his journey back through the adjacent avenue, Bury New Road, where the local Jewish residents were "visible outdoors, standing strong, unafraid."
A Decisive Move
Neville, who has built a large property portfolio in Manchester since ending his playing career in 2011, said he ordered the removal of a union flag being shown at one of his construction sites.
"Curiously on one of my development sites last week there was a British flag displayed and I ordered its prompt removal," he said.
Thoughts on Loving One's Country
"Certain viewers may be thinking and thinking: 'Gary, you lack patriotism.' I’ve played for my country 85 times, I love my country, I am devoted to Manchester and I have deep love for England," he stated.
The 50-year-old, said that in the period he has worked in the city, he had never seen union flags at the existing level and questioned why this was the case.
"The union jack flag displayed in a divisive way is improper and I’m a proud supporter of the nation, of Great Britain, of our country and will champion it anywhere as a top-tier location for life," he asserted.
An Appeal for Self-Assessment
"But I think we need to check ourselves," he went on, "assess our actions and contemplate about returning to a balanced position because we’re being pulled right and left and we don’t need to be pulled right and left at all."
Previous Statements
The television pundit has repeatedly expressed his thoughts on current affairs and social topics, such as stating people should "despise" the poor working conditions for foreign workers in Qatar and National Health Service employees in Britain.
Diversity in Sports
In his LinkedIn video, Neville commented on the multicultural nature of soccer, saying that he teammates hailed from all over Britain and from around the world. "We formed a wonderful team, completely unified," he noted.
The Effects of Leaving the EU
He said he blamed Brexit for its "harmful impact" on the country, and said the "rhetoric" of separation was becoming "extremely dangerous."
"These foolish individuals that are out there spreading hate speech in every form and mistreatment in all its forms, we must stop promoting them," he asserted.
"It is imperative we no longer give them a platform and this must end immediately and restore a land of love, of peace, of harmony and become a team again."
