Gary Neville Explained Why He Didn't Sing National Anthem as Fans Call Him Out

Gary Neville has previously explained why he refused to sing God Save the Queen in his early days as an England player – a decision he has since described as a "big mistake".

The former Manchester United defender, who earned 85 caps for his country, has been met by a torrent of criticism in recent days after he criticised "angry, middle-aged white men" for fueling social divisions in the UK.

Neville also claimed in the video posted to LinkedIn following the Yom Kippur terrorist attack at a Manchester synagogue that he removed a Union Jack flag from a building site he owns because it was put up for "negative" reasons.

"Quite clearly, it's sending a message, to everybody, that there is something you don't like," he said after bringing up the flag incident.

"The Union Jack flag being used in a negative fashion is not right, and I'm a proud supporter of England, Great Britain, of our country, and I will champion it anywhere around the world as being one of the greatest places to live."

Neville added: "But I think we need to check ourselves, and sort of start to think about bringing ourselves back to a neutral point. Because we're being pulled right and left, and we don't need to be pulled right and left. At all."

As a result of his comments, Neville's patriotism has been questioned, with videos of him refusing to sing the national anthem emerging online.

One fan posted a clip of him during the 2006 World Cup, when he was seen with his head down during the anthem, alongside the caption: "This is fascinating. Did Gary Neville forget the words of the National Anthem — or does this show something deeper, a certain discomfort with the country he played for?"

Neville has previously explained that he chose not to sing God Save The Queen in his early days as an England player to make a point following a conversation with then-FA chairman Geoff Thompson.

The former full-back did not sing the anthem when he appeared at Euro 1996, as seen in the clip below.

"I didn't sing it the first time I played for England. Partly because I thought, I'm serious about my work and I'm not singing before a game," he said, as per The Mirror.

"He [Thompson] only ever sought out one conversation with me. Did he want to pick my brains on World Cup preparation? Or ask how the FA could help behind the scenes? No, Mr Thompson wanted to know why I didn't sing the National Anthem."

He added: "I'm not being told by some suits what to do."