Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville found himself at the centre of an extraordinary protest during Salford City's latest League Two fixture, as furious supporters turned on the club's co-owner in dramatic fashion.
Pitch Invasion and Symbolic Protest
The shocking incident unfolded at the Peninsula Stadium when a disgruntled fan stormed onto the playing surface during Salford's match. The protester made a beeline for the centre circle, where he planted a St George's flag bearing the explosive message: "Gary Neville is a traitor."
As stewards rushed to remove the individual and his banner, the atmosphere turned increasingly hostile. Chants echoing the flag's sentiment reverberated around the ground, with supporters loudly labelling Neville a "w*****" in a stunning show of dissent against the Sky Sports pundit.
Growing Fan Discontent
This public demonstration highlights the deepening rift between Neville and sections of the Salford City fanbase. The former England international, who co-owns the club alongside his Class of '92 teammates including Phil Neville, Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs and Nicky Butt, has faced increasing criticism over his media work and perceived divided loyalties.
The protest represents one of the most visible and confrontational displays of dissatisfaction since Neville and his business partners took control of the club in 2014, guiding them from non-league football to the English Football League.
Security Concerns and Fallout
The ease with which the protester accessed the pitch raises serious questions about security measures at the Peninsula Stadium. Club officials now face mounting pressure to explain how such a breach could occur during a professional football match.
Meanwhile, Neville himself has yet to publicly address the incident, though the very public nature of the protest suggests relationships with certain sections of the Salford support may require significant repair work in the coming weeks.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the passionate emotions football can evoke, and how quickly fan sentiment can turn against even the most celebrated figures in the game.
