What started as an ordinary League Two match turned chaotic when angry football fans stormed the pitch to protest against Gary Neville.
The former England defender and Salford City co-owner found himself at the centre of a political storm after comments he made about the “negative” use of the British flag earlier this month.
Protest Breaks Out During Salford vs Oldham Clash
The drama unfolded midway through the first half of Salford City’s game against Oldham at Moor Lane.
One fan charged onto the pitch and planted a St George’s flag right in the centre circle before being quickly tackled by stewards.
Another supporter tried to follow, leaping over the barriers, but didn’t get far before being stopped.
Both men were wearing white T-shirts emblazoned with the words “Gary Neville is a traitor.”
A third protester was also spotted attempting to join in, though it wasn’t clear if he made it onto the pitch.
As tensions boiled over, loud chants of “Gary Neville is a w****r” echoed through the stands, forcing the referee to briefly halt the game.
It’s still unclear whether Neville himself was present to witness the incident.
The Comment That Sparked the Backlash
The heated protests stem from a video Neville posted on social media earlier this month, where he criticised the way some people have been displaying Union Jack and St George’s Cross flags.
The 50-year-old said he found the growing trend of flags on lampposts and houses across the UK troubling, arguing that it was fuelling division rather than unity.
“I just kept thinking as I was driving home last night that we’re all being turned on each other,” he 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.”
Those comments didn’t go down well with some fans, who accused Neville of being unpatriotic.
He was branded a “traitor” online, and during England’s recent match against Latvia, supporters were even heard chanting expletives aimed at him.
Neville’s Video Linked to Manchester Attack
Neville’s original video came in the wake of the horrific terrorist attack at Manchester’s Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation, where worshippers were attacked by Jihad Al-Shamie.
Opening his message, Neville spoke about the incident with emotion, saying the news had deeply affected him.
But as he continued, his focus shifted toward what he described as the “misuse” of national flags under the campaign “Operation Raise the Colours,” a movement that has swept through parts of Britain this year.
“When I was driving to Salford City last night, I saw probably 50 or 60 Union Jack flags,” Neville explained.
“Then I drove down Bury New Road, where the Jewish community is — they were out on the streets, defiant, not hiding or living in fear.”
A Call for Unity Amid Growing Division
Neville stressed that his concern wasn’t about patriotism itself but about how national symbols were being used to send divisive messages.
He even admitted to taking down a Union Jack flag that had been placed on one of his development sites, explaining that he didn’t want it to represent something “negative.”
“I played for my country 85 times — I love my country,” Neville said firmly. “I love Manchester, I love England.
But in 15 to 20 years of building in this city, I’ve never seen anyone suddenly putting up flags like this.
So why now? It’s clearly sending a message that there’s something you don’t like.”
Standing Firm Despite Criticism
Despite the backlash, Neville defended his stance, saying he remains a proud supporter of England and the UK.
However, he urged people to “check themselves” and resist being drawn into divisive narratives.
“The Union Jack being used negatively isn’t right,” he said. “We’re one of the greatest countries in the world to live in.
But we need to bring ourselves back to a neutral point — because right now, we’re being pulled right and left, and we don’t need to be.”
What Comes Next for Neville and Salford
With tensions spilling from online debates into the stands, it’s clear that Neville’s comments have struck a nerve.
For now, the FA may review the events at Moor Lane, and Salford City could face sanctions over the pitch invasions.
As for Neville, his outspoken views — once reserved for football punditry — have now firmly entered political and social territory.
And judging by Saturday’s scenes, the fallout from his remarks shows no sign of quieting down anytime soon.