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Gary Neville explained that he had taken down a British flag from one of his construction sites in Manchester because it was being "used in a negative fashion," as he urged his followers to reconsider the definition to be loyal to one's country.

A Video Message

In a video posted on Friday, the former footballer turned property developer said he believed that "we’re all being turned on each other," laying a great deal of the fault for the rift 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 described driving down a road in Salford, and seeing "dozens of British flags" on that stretch of his journey. He then compared that with his trip home through the parallel road, a different main road, where the local Jewish residents were "present in public, resolute, without fear or hiding."

A Decisive Move

Neville, who has built a significant real estate business in Manchester since ending his playing career in 2011, said he took down a union flag being shown at one of his construction sites.

"Curiously on one of my property projects last week there was a British flag displayed and I had it removed immediately," he said.

Defining National Pride

"A portion of the audience could believe and thinking: 'Gary you’re not really patriotic.' I’ve played for my country 85 times, I am proud of my country, I adore Manchester and I love England," he declared.

Neville, 50, said that in the time he has been developing in the city, he had not observed Union Jacks at the existing level and pondered the reason for this increase.

"The Union Jack used in a negative fashion is unacceptable and I am a staunch supporter of England, of the United Kingdom, of the UK and will defend it internationally as a top-tier location for life," he stated.

Urging National Introspection

"Yet, I feel it is crucial we reflect," he continued, "reflect and begin considering about bringing ourselves back to a neutral point because we are being tugged in opposing directions and we don’t need to be pulled right and left at all."

Previous Statements

The Sky Sports commentator has frequently voiced his opinions on current affairs and social topics, including that people should “detest” the unfavorable employment situations for overseas laborers in Qatar and National Health Service employees in Britain.

Unity in Football

In his social media footage, Neville commented on the diversity of football, saying that he teammates hailed from all over Britain and from around the world. "It was a magnificent squad, totally together," he recalled.

Post-Brexit Impact

He said he attributed fault to Brexit for its "damaging consequences" on the country, and said the "rhetoric" of division was becoming "extremely dangerous."

"All these idiots that are propagating abusive language in every form and abuse in any form, it is vital we no longer amplify them," he asserted.

"It is imperative we no longer give them a platform and the situation requires an instant halt and return to a nation of love, of peace, of accord and become a team again."