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Gary Neville explained that he personally removed a union flag from one of his Manchester development sites because it was being "used in a negative fashion," as he called on people to reconsider the definition to be a proud citizen.

An Online Statement

In a video posted on Friday, the sports pundit and developer said he believed that "we’re all being turned on each other," attributing much of the blame for the rift on "irate white men of a certain age … who know exactly what they’re doing|who are fully aware of their actions|who understand the consequences of their behavior}."

A Tale of Two Roads

He recounted traveling along a road in Salford, and seeing "an estimated fifty to sixty Union Jacks" on that part of his route. He then juxtaposed this against his trip home through the adjacent avenue, a different main road, where the Jewish community were "present in public, resolute, without fear or hiding."

Flag Removal

Gary Neville, who has established a large property portfolio in Manchester since retiring from football in 2011, said he had removed a Union Jack being displayed on one of his building sites.

"Funnily enough on one of my property projects last week there was a Union Jack displayed and I took it down instantly," he said.

Defining National Pride

"Certain viewers may be thinking and thinking: 'Gary you’re not really patriotic.' I represented my nation on 85 occasions, I have great affection for England, I love Manchester and I have deep love for England," he declared.

The 50-year-old, said that in the time he has been developing in the city, he had not observed Union Jacks at the current rate and pondered the reason for this increase.

"The union jack flag used in a negative fashion is not right and I consider myself a devoted backer of England, of the United Kingdom, of the UK and will champion it anywhere as one of the greatest places to live," he proclaimed.

An Appeal for Self-Assessment

"But I think we need to check ourselves," he added, "reflect and begin considering about returning to a balanced position because society is being dragged to extremes and this division is entirely unnecessary."

Previous Statements

The Sky Sports commentator has repeatedly expressed his thoughts on political and social issues, for instance urging the public to "abhor" the substandard labor conditions for overseas laborers in Qatar and health service workers in the United Kingdom.

Unity in Football

In his online presentation, Neville reflected on the variety within the sport, saying that he teammates hailed from all over Britain and from around the world. "We formed a wonderful team, completely unified," he recalled.

The Effects of Leaving the EU

He said he blamed Brexit for its "harmful impact" on the country, and said the "messaging" of discord was becoming "extremely dangerous."

"All these idiots that are out there spreading hate speech in every form and hostility in any manifestation, it is vital we no longer amplify them," he asserted.

"We must stop elevating our voices towards them and it needs to stop now and return to a nation of love, of peace, of accord and function as a cohesive unit again."