Gary Neville will escape disciplinary action for his contentious social media video posted after the Manchester synagogue attack. The Manchester United legend, 50, has consistently been vocal about his political opinions. This continued last week when he shared a video across his social media platforms a day after the shocking incident.
Neville has encountered criticism from the public and MPs including Reform UK’s Lee Anderson and Dame Andrea Jenkyns. However, Neville will avoid any sanctions from Sky Sports over his remarks in the three-minute footage. He certainly will not lose his job over the matter.
According to the Daily Mail, Neville’s statements are not expected to prompt any disciplinary measures for violating Sky Sports’ social media policies concerning their presenters.
The broadcaster’s guidelines state: “Talent and contributors should be aware that social media communities are public forums and should not undertake activity that brings either their programme or Sky into disrepute.”
After his remarks, Neville promptly resumed his broadcasting responsibilities at the weekend, being selected as a pundit for Chelsea’s thrilling victory over Liverpool on Saturday night, plus Manchester City’s narrow triumph against Brentford on Sunday.
Neville claimed that political polarisation was being fuelled by “angry middle-aged white men”, and criticised the display of Union Jack flags.
He commented: “Seeing the news last night and the news this morning dominated by the horrific attacks within the Jewish community just a mile from here.
“When I was driving to Salford City last night, going down Littleton Road, seeing 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.
“And 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.”
Neville added: “The Union Jack flag used in a negative fashion is not right and I’m a proud supporter of England, of Great Britain, of our country and will champion it anywhere in the world as one of the greatest places to live.”
