Qudus SalihuSky Sports pundit Gary Neville is facing an unprecedented wave of backlash, with thousands of fans demanding his immediate dismissal following his controversial intervention in the ongoing feud between Jamie Carragher and Duncan Ferguson. The social media storm erupted after Neville appeared to side with Carragher during a heated discussion regarding Everton’s Premier League standing. While Ferguson had successfully demanded a live apology from Carragher for disrespectful comments about the club, Neville sparked fury by suggesting that Ferguson was effectively bullying his colleague into a retraction.
During the live segment, Neville claimed that the atmosphere in the studio had become unprofessional due to Ferguson’s aggressive defense of Everton. He suggested that while Carragher’s comments were sharp, they were fair game for a pundit, and that Ferguson’s demand for a public apology set a dangerous precedent for sports broadcasting. The reaction from the Blue half of Merseyside was instantaneous, with fans accusing Neville of closing ranks with his long-time friend to protect their dominant media positions. Many pointed out the hypocrisy of Neville demanding respect for Manchester United’s history while dismissing Ferguson’s defense of Everton’s heritage as unnecessary drama.
The hashtag SackNeville began trending on X within minutes of the broadcast. Supporters are calling for Sky Sports to take decisive action, arguing that Neville’s attempt to undermine a legitimate apology has made his position as an objective analyst untenable. One viral post, which garnered over 20,000 likes, argued that it is one thing to have an opinion, but another to protect a colleague after he has insulted an entire community. The fan added that it was time Sky showed Neville he does not own the studio.
While Sky Sports has yet to release an official statement regarding the campaign, internal tension is reportedly at an all-time high. With Ferguson reportedly refusing to work on the same panel as Neville until these remarks are addressed, the broadcaster faces a difficult choice between standing by its most prominent pundit or appeasing an increasingly alienated audience. The situation remains fluid as fans continue to flood official channels with complaints, turning a studio spat into a full-scale crisis for the network.
Mustapha Sheidu
Rabiu Aminu
Qudus Salihu
