Gary Neville breaks down in tears after allegations of 'racial inequality' at university he founded

According to The Sun, the claims were brought to light by a member of staff who suggested that colleagues from ethnic minority backgrounds faced barriers to professional advancement and career progression at the institution.

UA92, founded in 2019 by members of United’s famous Class of ’92, including Neville, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Phil Neville and Nicky Butt, commissioned an immediate independent review to examine the allegations.

The subsequent report concluded that the organisation lacked a sufficiently “inclusive culture” in its working environment.

Its findings prompted Neville, 50, who sits on the university’s board, to address employees directly.

According to the newspaper, he called a staff meeting to confront the issue and spoke candidly about the need for reform, acknowledging that the institution must do more to uphold the principles it claims to champion.

Witnesses described the former defender becoming emotional while stressing the importance of change.

UA92 was created to deliver qualifications in fields such as sport, media and business, with a mission to expand access to higher education for students from disadvantaged backgrounds and to impart what its founders describe as a “mindset of elite sport”.

The allegations are, therefore, particularly sensitive given the ethos of fairness and inclusivity underpinning the project.

Recommendations from the independent review included the creation of a dedicated taskforce to address equity, diversity and inclusion concerns.

Since the report’s publication, UA92 has established an internal racial equity network in response. The institution has pledged to implement all recommendations.

A source familiar with staff reactions said the claims had caused significant shock among senior figures at the university.

The insider told the publication: “The allegations about racial inequality rocked the uni. Gary was horrified anyone thought such inequality existed.

"To his credit, he immediately stepped up and assured staff changes in the report would all go through.”

Those remarks suggest that the board is keen to reinforce its public commitment to equality.

In recent years, universities across the UK have faced scrutiny from students and academics over racial representation, discrimination and access to leadership roles, placing equality measures at the forefront of institutional governance.

Financial statements indicate that UA92 continues to expand in scale.

Accounts for the year ending July 2024 show income of £11.7million, reflecting growing demand for its degree programmes and partnership schemes.

In a statement following the report, UA92 said: “Gary led a talk and reiterated his and the board’s commitment to inclusivity and equity.”

The organisation emphasised that the review’s conclusions were being taken seriously and that work was under way to build a fairer, more supportive workplace for all employees.

Neville, meanwhile, is expected to be on Monday Night Football tonight with United due to face off against Everton at Old Trafford.