Former footballer and property developer Gary Neville has stated that he ordered the removal of a Union Flag from one of his Manchester construction sites, expressing his belief that the symbol was being used inappropriately. Neville voiced his concerns about societal divisions, suggesting that certain groups are deliberately fostering conflict.
In a recent social media post, Neville described witnessing a large number of Union Flags displayed along one Manchester roadway, while noting the contrasting scene on a parallel street where members of the local Jewish community were gathered openly following a recent incident. The former England defender emphasized that his decision to remove the flag shouldn’t be misinterpreted as lack of patriotism, citing his 85 appearances for the national team as evidence of his commitment to the country.
Neville questioned the recent proliferation of flag displays in areas where he has been developing properties for years, stating that he had never previously observed such widespread use of the national symbol. He distinguished between proper national pride and what he characterized as the negative deployment of the Union Flag, while reaffirming his belief that Britain remains one of the world’s greatest places to live.
The prominent sports commentator, who has frequently addressed social and political issues, called for national unity and criticized what he described as hate speech and divisive rhetoric. He urged people to reject inflammatory messaging and work toward restoring what he termed a spirit of cooperation and mutual respect within the country. Neville specifically referenced his experience in professional football as an example of successful integration and teamwork across diverse backgrounds.
