Sky Sports is facing mounting calls for a boycott after Gary Neville’s politically charged comments about “angry middle-aged white men” ignited fury among football fans and commentators across the country.
The former Manchester United and England defender, now one of Sky’s most recognisable pundits, provoked a storm after posting a video to LinkedIn on Friday that began as a reflection on the Manchester synagogue terror attack — but quickly shifted focus to the sight of Union Jack and St George’s flags hung around the city.
Neville, 50, claimed that Britain was being “turned on each other”, describing the division as “disgusting” and “mainly created by angry, middle-aged white men, who know exactly what they’re doing.”
The timing of his message — just 24 hours after two Jewish worshippers were killed in a knife and car attack at the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation by Jihad Al-Shamie — drew widespread criticism online.
TRENDING
Stories
Videos
Your Say
The backlash was immediate. Dozens of fans threatened to cancel their Sky Sports subscriptions unless the broadcaster distances itself from Neville, who earns a reported £1.1 million a year for his punditry.
“Really rate you as a pundit,” one user wrote.
“But how the hell can you blame people like me for a terrorist attack?”
Another asked: “Is this the kind of person Sky Sports wants representing them?”
JUST IN: Former England rugby captain Lewis Moody diagnosed with motor neurone disease
Sky Sports is facing mounting calls for a boycott after Gary Neville’s politically charged comments about “angry middle-aged white men” ignited fury among football fans and commentators across the country
|Sky has yet to comment publicly, though social media has been flooded with complaints demanding an explanation or apology.
Neville, who also co-owns League Two side Salford City and has a wide-ranging business empire in hospitality and property, said he had “instantly” taken down a Union Jack flag near one of his building sites, claiming its sudden appearance “sent a message” of intolerance.
“When I was driving to Salford City last night, I saw 50 or 60 Union Jack flags,” Neville said in his video.
“On the way back I went down Bury New Road, with the Jewish community out on the streets, defiant.
**SIGN UP FOR OUR FREE DAILY GB NEWS SPORTS NEWSLETTER HERE**
Jihad Al-Shamie killed two Jewish worshippers at a Manchester synagogue
| GB NEWS“Funnily enough, one of my development sites had a Union Jack up last week and I took it down instantly.”
The former right-back’s comments referred indirectly to Operation Raise the Colours, a grassroots campaign encouraging Britons to display national flags.
While some praised Neville for speaking against political extremism, others — including members of the Jewish community — criticised him for “turning the tragedy into a political point.”
Barrie Taube, a Manchester businessman and synagogue security volunteer, thanked Neville for his solidarity but said he had missed the real issue.
“The division is caused by antisemitic rhetoric, not by ‘middle-aged white men’. This is about hate speech and education,” he fumed.
Another Jewish professional, Oli Kristall, added: “The start of your video was great but then it turned into tackling a totally wrong issue.
“What have your views on flags got to do with targeted murders of Jews in Manchester?”
Reform UK MP Lee Anderson accused Neville of being “out of touch”, saying: “You had no problem playing in front of the England flag — and the men you’re talking about are the ones who paid your wages.
”Former Tory MP Dame Andrea Jenkyns branded him “Gary Lineker Mark Two,” accusing him of hypocrisy: “He was happy for ‘white men’ to pay his wages and buy his merchandise.”
LATEST SPORTS NEWS:
Thousands of flags appeared up and down the country as part of Operation Raise the Colours
| REUTERSNeville later pushed back at claims he was being unpatriotic. “I played for my country 85 times — I love England,” he said.
“But the Union Jack being used in a negative fashion isn’t right.
“I’ll champion Britain anywhere in the world as one of the greatest places to live.
“We just need to bring ourselves back to the centre and stop being pulled right and left.”
Concluding his message, Neville blamed “dangerous messaging” and the aftermath of Brexit for fuelling division.
“All these idiots spreading hate speech — we must stop promoting them,” he said.
Gary Neville is one of Sky Sports' most-prominent names
| PA“We need to get back to peace, love, harmony and being a team again.”
Despite his plea for unity, the reaction has been anything but.