Salford City's match against Oldham Athletic was briefly halted on Saturday, October 18, after several men ran onto the pitch at the Peninsula Stadium in Moor Lane, targeting owner Gary Neville.
The invaders, wearing white hoodies bearing the words 'Gary Neville is a traitor' and waving England flags, attempted to plant a flag in the centre circle before being subdued by stewards. The far-right group Britain First claimed responsibility, saying it had 'teamed up with local Salford patriots' to protest against the former England international's 'treachery'.
The demonstration followed Neville's recent removal of a Union Jack flag from one of his development sites. In a LinkedIn video, he said he took it down because he believed it was being used 'in a negative fashion' and criticised 'angry, middle-aged white men' for creating division. He also referenced the recent terrorist attack at Heaton Park synagogue.
The match was able to continue after the protesters were removed, though some supporters in the away end were heard chanting 'Neville is a w***er'. Salford City's ownership group, which includes Neville, has not yet commented on the incident.
