Retired footballer The Sky Sports commentator says he removed a union flag being 'employed in a harmful manner'.

Gary Neville has revealed that he ordered the removal of a British flag from one of his Manchester development sites because it was being "displayed in a harmful way," as he encouraged his audience to think deeply about what it signifies to be loyal to one's country.

An Online Statement

In a online message published at the end of the week, the ex-player turned businessman 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 section of the road. He then compared that with his journey back through the neighboring street, a different main road, where the Jewish community were "present in public, resolute, without fear or hiding."

Flag Removal

The pundit, who has developed a vast property empire in Manchester since ending his playing career in 2011, said he ordered the removal of a Union Jack being displayed on one of his building sites.

"Funnily enough on one of my development sites last week there was a British flag displayed and I ordered its prompt removal," he said.

On Patriotism

"A portion of the audience could believe and thinking: 'Gary, you lack patriotism.' I’ve played for my country 85 times, I have great affection for England, I adore Manchester and I have deep love for England," he declared.

Neville, 50, said that in the time he has been developing in the city, he had not witnessed British flags at the current rate and pondered the reason for this increase.

"The British flag used in a negative fashion is unacceptable and I’m a proud supporter of England, of Britain, of the UK and will defend it internationally as one of the greatest places to live," he asserted.

A Call for Reflection

"However, I believe we must examine ourselves," he went on, "assess our actions and contemplate about restoring a sense of equilibrium because we’re being pulled right and left and there is no need for such polarization."

Previous Statements

The Sky Sports commentator has often shared his views on societal and political matters, such as stating people should "despise" the substandard labor conditions for overseas laborers in Qatar and NHS staff in the UK.

Togetherness Through Sport

In his social media footage, Neville discussed the multicultural nature of soccer, saying that he played with people from across the UK and from around the world. "It was a magnificent squad, totally together," he recalled.

Post-Brexit Impact

He said he blamed Brexit for its "devastating effect" on the country, and said the "messaging" of discord was becoming "highly perilous."

"All these idiots that are propagating abusive language in any form and hostility in any manifestation, we need to cease elevating them," he asserted.

"We must stop elevating our voices towards them and the situation requires an instant halt and restore a land of love, of peace, of harmony and become a team again."