Dwight McNeil's Girlfriend Releases Statement as Deadline Day Move Collapses
Dwight McNeil's girlfriend has been praised for her lengthy statement after the Everton star's proposed move to Crystal Palace fell through on deadline day.
The 26-year-old was subject to interest from Nottingham Forest and Palace this window, with Trique George's arrival on merseyside opening the door for McNeil's exit.
It was reported by David Ornstein on Monday evening that Everton had agreed a £20m deal with Palace for McNeil with the winger undergoing medical tests with the club.
Following the 7pm deadline, it was confirmed that a deal sheet had been submitted in time, however, the London club then changed the initial terms to a loan, before pulling out of the deal completely.
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The Athletic's report claims that Palace's decision was influenced by the collapse of Jean-Phillipe Mateta's move to AC Milan earlier in the day.
After the move collapsed, McNeil shared a series of story posts from his girlfriend Megan Sharpley on Instagram, which have since received huge praise online.
McNeil's partner calls out football industry in emotional statement
Sharpley's statement called out the football industry and specifically the treatment of McNeil throughout his proposed move from the Hill Dickinson that left her 'heartbroken'.
She began: "Dwight, I've always been in awe of your job, the way you've committed most of your life to achieve what only the O.1% achieve, I know you love your job, the sport and you know how lucky you are to do what most people only dreams of.
"We appreciate our lives, how fortunate we are, and the millions of football fans that keep the game alive and ultimately keep you in a job you adore.
"You've sacrificed a lot and most people don't have much of an idea of the difficult hardships you've suffered and dealt with in your personal life, and we crack on, that's who we are, we appreciate how blessed our lives are," she continued.
Sharpley then went on to discuss the emotional impact of the move collapsing, and how footballers are often expected to not let difficulties like this affect them.
"But the world doesn't seem to accept that someone as fortunate as you is allowed to suffer hardships and feel sad, but you're a human, a beautiful incredible 26 year old human being, and no matter about money or the success you've worked so hard to achieve, you are allowed to fee," she explained.
"Tonight, and the last 48 hours, have broken my heart to see how the football world you love so much can be so cruel to you."
Sharpley proceeded to call out Palace specifically, claiming the London club 'toyed' with McNeil and made multiple false promises.
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"To have something promised to you, to have been dragged along on an emotional rollercoaster, and to be toyed with until the final minute," she continued.
"To have 4 and a half years of your life promised to you, traveling, medicals, agreements made... promises made, to have prepared to move your entire life, our life's 100 of miles away in the space of a few hours.
"For it to be torn away from you at the last second, with absolutely no explanation," she explained.
She went on to reveal that she was left hurt after Palace completely ghosted the winger after he believed he had already completed the move leaving the Everton star heartbroken.
"Going from everything - to radio silence, no phone call, no communication and be left, broken hearted with nothing but confusion, has hurt more than I can say," she admitted.
"I sit with you, knowing in my heart and deep down into my soul that you will bounce back from this.
"I am your biggest supporter, and I know you will overcome this with a fire in your belly and a motivation that no one can stop, I have already seen it tonight, even whilst you're facing the lowest point of your career."
Sharpley called out the focus on mental health within football, claiming it shouldn't be acceptable to play with footballer's lives simply because they make a lot of money when the issue is so widely known.
She continued: "We live in a world where everyone is aware how big of a problem mental health is. So in football, why do we find it acceptable because these young men are on a lot of money, that it's okay to mess and toy with their mental health and that's it just 'part of the job'?
"No matter of money, we all deserve to be treated with respect, kindness and fairly.
"So I really question the industry tonight, I only hope there's more done in the future to protect people from situations like what I've witnessed tonight Football is brutal and yes, it's the nature of the beast, but messing with human beings feelings and emotions shouldn't be acceptable."
She concluded: "People only see one side on the media, you don't see the tears, the emotion and the distress I've seen tonight.
"Dwight, to the present, and the future. Every single thing happens for a reason, I will always believe what is meant for you will find you, and with your hard work and determination I'll never doubt only the best will come your way, and I'm so excited to see what you can achieve..."
In the final slide of McNeil's posts, the English winger sent a message back, writing: "Whilst even now I'm still left in the dark, what I do know, and have been supported with, I am an Everton player.
"I will use this as motivation, I love you moo, I couldn't thank you enough for all of your love and support."
McNeil will now remain at Everton for at least the remainder of the season, having made 17 appearances so far this season, providing one assist.
Topics: Everton, Crystal Palace, Football
Tom Jenkins