Matt Le Tissier has claimed that Sky Sports will stand by Gary Neville following the pundit’s controversial remarks about “angry, middle-aged white men,” suggesting the broadcaster’s response will mirror its previous support of Jamie Carragher.
Neville sparked outrage after sharing a video on LinkedIn in which he appeared to criticise certain Britons for flying St George’s and Union Jack flags.
His comments came just a day after two Jewish worshippers were murdered in a terror attack at a Manchester synagogue. “We’re all being turned on each other,” Neville said in the clip.
“The division that’s being created is absolutely disgusting — mainly created by angry, middle-aged white men who know exactly what they’re doing.”
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The remarks prompted a fierce backlash online, with some fans declaring they would cancel their Sky Sports subscriptions.
Yet Le Tissier, who was sacked by the broadcaster in 2020, believes Neville will be protected by the network.
Speaking to students at Southampton Solent University, per the Daily Mail, the former Southampton striker said: “He’s basically attacked the demographic of people that are paying his wages, which is a bit strange.
“But I think it depends on what side of the argument you fall on and whether your views suit the agenda of the current media — which, for the large part, is very left-leaning.
Matt Le Tissier has claimed that Sky Sports will stand by Gary Neville following the pundit’s controversial remarks about “angry, middle-aged white men,” suggesting the broadcaster’s response will mirror its previous support of Jamie Carragher
|PA
“If you’re slightly right-leaning, you won’t be given the same grace to make mistakes that others will.”
The former pundit has frequently criticised Sky Sports since his dismissal, alleging that his refusal to wear a Black Lives Matter badge and his views on the Covid-19 pandemic led to his departure.
He was later condemned for spreading conspiracy theories about vaccines and the war in Ukraine.
Le Tissier also compared Neville’s situation to that of Carragher, who was suspended in 2018 after being filmed spitting towards a car carrying a 14-year-old girl.
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Matt Le Tissier has previously claimed he lost his job at Sky Sports because of his views on Covid
| GBNEWSCarragher was reinstated after apologising publicly and undergoing counselling with sports psychiatrist Steve Peters — a decision that Le Tissier has often cited as evidence of Sky’s double standards.
“I think they’ll stand by him and support him,” Le Tissier said of Neville.
“They stood by Jamie Carragher when he spat at a young girl out of the back of his car.
“It’s not quite as bad as that, so Gary’s got a pretty fair argument if they try and get rid of him.”
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Gary Neville is the best-paid presenter at Sky Sports
| SKYNeville, who earns an estimated £1.1 million per year from Sky, has become known for his outspoken political views.
He has previously condemned the treatment of migrant workers in Qatar, accused former Prime Minister Boris Johnson of “fuelling racism,” and frequently comments on social and political issues beyond football.
His latest video, titled 'Thoughts on the horrible scenes in Manchester', began with a reflection on the attack at Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation, where Syrian-born terrorist Jihad Al-Shamie killed two worshippers.
However, Neville then turned to discuss the 'Operation Raise the Colours' movement, which encourages people to display national flags.
Jamie Carragher previously kept his job at Sky Sports despite a spitting storm
|X
Neville said he had seen dozens of flags erected in Manchester, which he viewed as 'sending a message.'
He insisted he was not being unpatriotic, saying: “I played for my country 85 times, I love my country. I love Manchester and I love England.
“But the Union Jack being used in a negative fashion is not right.
“We need to check ourselves — we’re being pulled right and left, and we don’t need to be.”
While some supported Neville’s call for unity, others — including members of the Jewish community — criticised him for veering into a political message during a moment of mourning.
Despite the backlash, he was back behind the microphone for Sky Sports on Sunday, commentating on Manchester City’s 1-0 win over Brentford, as Sky remains publicly silent on the controversy.