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'Manchester United Ownership Is None Of Gary Neville's Business'

'Manchester United Ownership Is None Of Gary Neville's Business'

The disgraced former Sky Sports presenter also turned on Jamie Carragher’s, Rio Ferdinand’s, Jake Humphrey and Gary Lineker.

Ryan Sidle

Ryan Sidle

Richard Keys has claimed that Gary Neville instigated 'riots' following the protests by Manchester United fans, that saw the team's game with Liverpool called off on Sunday.

The unprecedented scenes outside Old Trafford at the weekend, with fans protesting against the Glazers' ownership of the club, caught the attention of everyone.

Whilst most supported a majority of the protesters, there were some people who took things too far, whilst some pundits completely got the tone wrong, blaming the protests on United's lack of success on the pitch.

Neville and Jamie Carragher have been amongst the most vocal supporters of fans protesting against club owners, at United and amongst the rest of the big six since the European Super League nonsense.

Whilst most have applauded their work, disgraced former Sky Sports presenter Keys, who left his job there in 2011 following derogatory comments about Sian Massey-Ellis, has decided to attack the pair, and others.

Writing in his blog, the 64-year-old, accused Neville of instigating riots and telling him that who owns which club isn't his business.

"Enough Gary, I want to watch football matches, not riots," the beIN Sports presenter opened his incredible rant, "Plainly no-one at your primary employer has got the courage to say anything to you - so let me.

"It really is none of my business who owns Manchester United, Arsenal, Valencia, Salford or Sheffield. With the exception of Salford, nor is it yours. Nor is it Jamie Carragher's, Rio Ferdinand's, Jake Humphries or Gary Lineker's.

"Our job is simple and privileged. Our job is to call football matches. It is not our job to instigate riots. And make no mistake, what happened at Old Trafford on Sunday was a riot. And a disgrace. I hate to think what the reaction would've been had Liverpool fans been to blame."

Keys, who has in the past claimed that human rights issues in Qatar aren't that bad, went further by joining Graeme Souness in suggesting the riots were only because of a lack of success on the pitch.

"It was NOT a peaceful demonstration. One Police officer has been left with life-changing injuries. He could've been blinded after being attacked by a thug wielding a broken bottle.

"What was it all about? Was it a protest against the ESL? No. But some would have you believe that? If the protest was about the ESL then why have City fans not been out with their own wrecking ball? Or Chelsea fans? Or Spurs fans?

Glazer out protests in 2010, when United were Premier League champions. Image: PA Images
Glazer out protests in 2010, when United were Premier League champions. Image: PA Images

"Was it a demonstration about the ownership of Manchester United? No. But some would have you believe that. It was a show of frustration that United are no longer the dominant force in English football.

"The Glazers are not for me. But Sir Alex Ferguson never had a problem with them."

Keys of course, who said earlier this season that Pep Guardiola needed to hire Sam Allardyce as a defensive coach in order to win the league, seems to have forgotten that Chelsea fans did protest.

It's hardly the first time the presenter has proved himself to be quite the dinosaur but shouting controversial things is likely the only way he can stay relevant.

Featured Image Credit: Sky/beIN

Topics: Football, Manchester United, Premier League, Sky Sports, Gary Neville, Jamie Carragher