Ex-footballer Gary Neville reveals he removed a British flag being 'employed in a harmful manner'.
The former Manchester United star disclosed that he had taken down a Union Jack from one of his property development locations because it was being "displayed in a harmful way," as he called on people to reconsider the definition to be loyal to one's country.
A Video Message
In a social media video shared Friday, the ex-player turned businessman said he believed that "we’re all being turned on each other," laying a great deal of the fault for the division on "angry, middle-aged white men … who know exactly what they’re doing|who are fully aware of their actions|who understand the consequences of their behavior}."
Different Neighborhood Views
He spoke about his journey on Littleton Road, and seeing "an estimated fifty to sixty Union Jacks" on that section of the road. He then contrasted this with his journey back through the parallel road, a different main road, where the Jewish community were "out in the streets, defiant, not hiding or in fear."
Flag Removal
The pundit, who has developed a vast property empire in Manchester since ending his playing career in 2011, said he had removed a union flag being displayed on one of his building sites.
"Interestingly on one of my development sites last week there was a British flag hoisted and I took it down instantly," he said.
On Patriotism
"Some people might be watching this and thinking: 'Neville, you don't love your country.' I represented my nation on 85 occasions, I am proud of my country, I love Manchester and I cherish England," he declared.
Neville, 50, said that in the period he has worked in the city, he had not witnessed British flags at the existing level and pondered the reason for this increase.
"The Union Jack employed in a harmful manner is not right and I’m a proud supporter of England, of Great Britain, of this country and will defend it internationally as a top-tier location for life," he asserted.
Urging National Introspection
"But I think we need to check ourselves," he continued, "reflect and begin considering about bringing ourselves back to a neutral point because society is being dragged to extremes and we don’t need to be pulled right and left at all."
Broader Commentary
The television pundit has repeatedly expressed his thoughts on political and social issues, such as stating people should "despise" the unfavorable employment situations for overseas laborers in Qatar and NHS staff in the UK.
Diversity in Sports
In his online presentation, Neville discussed the multicultural nature of soccer, saying that he played with people from across the UK and from around the world. "We were a beautiful team, united as one," he stated.
The Effects of Leaving the EU
He said he held Brexit responsible for its "harmful impact" on the country, and said the "rhetoric" of discord was becoming "highly perilous."
"These foolish individuals that are disseminating offensive rhetoric in any form and hostility in any manifestation, we need to cease elevating them," he emphasized.
"We must stop elevating our voices towards them and it needs to stop now and restore a land of love, of peace, of harmony and function as a cohesive unit again."