Gary Neville sparks another online backlash after attending Qatar Grand Prix - 'No moral compass'

Jack Otway

By Jack Otway


Published: 30/11/2025

- 11:38

Updated: 30/11/2025

- 12:13

The former Manchester United and England star has sparked fury once again

Gary Neville has found himself at the centre of yet another online backlash after the former Manchester United and England star jetted out to Qatar for the Grand Prix.

The 50-year-old, who was widely criticised for his comments on Union Jacks and 'angry, white, middle-aged men' in October, has been criticised by users on social media.


Prior to the 2022 World Cup, Neville criticised Qatar and the country's human rights record.

But that didn't stop him jetting out to the Middle East for the showpiece event, with the ex-Manchester United and England star working for ITV and the Qatari state-owned broadcaster beIN Sports.

Neville even once found himself being grilled on BBC Have I Got News For You, with Ian Hislop and Paul Merton clearly unimpressed with his decision.

Now, the former footballer has visited Qatar once again for the Grand Prix.

Sky Sports uploaded footage of Neville attending the big event earlier this weekend and fans were quick to criticise him for what they perceive to be hypocrisy.

One X user wrote: "Wherever and whenever the money is, Gary Neville will be sniffing around. The guy has no morale (sic) compass."

Gary Neville has found himself at the centre of yet another online backlash after the former Manchester United and England star jetted out to Qatar for the Grand Prix

Gary Neville has found himself at the centre of yet another online backlash after the former Manchester United and England star jetted out to Qatar for the Grand Prix

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Gary Neville has found himself at the centre of yet another online backlash after the former Manchester United and England star jetted out to Qatar for the Grand Prix

Gary Neville

Gary Neville was accused of hypocrisy when he worked at the 2022 World Cup, which was held in Qatar

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BeinSPORTS

A second fumed: "Typical of his type of socialist. Awful."

A third stated: "@GNev2 his shamefulness...comments about the British flag and ability to completely contradict himself knows no bounds. He is a complete balloon."

Another said: "Looks like the working conditions were not quite ‘abhorrent’ enough to him to stick to him morals…Winder (sic) why?"

And a fifth raged: "Funny that isn’t it! Neville is such a hypocrite."

The criticism surrounding Neville comes just weeks after he suggested Britain was being fuelled by hate coming from 'angry, white, middled-aged men'.

Those comments came just hours after a Islamist attack carried out by Jihad Al-Shamie, who brutally killed two people at Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue.

Neville, speaking on his LinkedIn account, sparked anger with his comments.

At the start of the video, he said: "Seeing the news last night and the news this morning dominated by the horrific attacks within the Jewish community, just a mile from here."

But Neville then changed direction. He added: "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.

Gary Neville

Gary Neville's video sparked fury on social media after he criticised 'angry, white, middled-aged men'

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LINKEDIN

"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."

Sky Sports, one of Neville's employers, found themselves under pressure to act.

But they insisted they would be taking no action because the former England star's comments didn't breach their rules and guidelines on social media use.

Meanwhile, the Qatar Grand Prix will take place on Sunday.

Oscar Piastri qualified on pole, having also won the sprint race on Saturday.