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Gary Neville explained that he ordered the removal of a British flag from one of his construction sites in Manchester because it was being "used in a negative fashion," as he encouraged his audience to reconsider the definition to be loyal to one's country.

A Video Message

In a video posted on Friday, the ex-player turned businessman said he believed that "people are being pitted against one another," attributing much of the blame for the rift on "irate white men of a certain age … who know exactly what they’re doing|who are fully aware of their actions|who understand the consequences of their behavior}."

A Tale of Two Roads

He described driving down a street in the neighborhood, and seeing "an estimated fifty to sixty Union Jacks" on that section of the road. He then juxtaposed this against his trip home through the parallel road, a different main road, where the local Jewish residents were "visible outdoors, standing strong, unafraid."

A Decisive Move

The pundit, who has developed a significant real estate business in Manchester since ending his playing career in 2011, said he ordered the removal of a Union Jack being shown at one of his construction sites.

"Curiously on one of my property projects last week there was a union jack flag put up and I had it removed immediately," he said.

Thoughts on Loving One's Country

"A portion of the audience could believe and thinking: 'Neville, you don't love your country.' I earned 85 caps for England, I love my country, I am devoted to Manchester and I cherish England," he declared.

The 50-year-old, said that in the years he has been building in the city, he had not witnessed British flags at the present frequency and asked why this was happening.

"The British flag used in a negative fashion is not right and I am a staunch supporter of England, of the United Kingdom, of the UK and will promote it globally as a top-tier location for life," he proclaimed.

An Appeal for Self-Assessment

"However, I believe we must examine ourselves," he went on, "check ourselves and start to think about restoring a sense of equilibrium because we’re being pulled right and left and this division is entirely unnecessary."

Broader Commentary

The sports analyst has frequently voiced his opinions on current affairs and social topics, including that people should “detest” the substandard labor conditions for migrant workers in Qatar and health service workers in the United Kingdom.

Diversity in Sports

In his social media footage, Neville discussed the variety within the sport, saying that he teammates hailed from all over Britain and from across the globe. "It was a magnificent squad, totally together," he stated.

On Brexit and Division

He said he attributed fault to Brexit for its "harmful impact" on the country, and said the "narrative" of division was becoming "highly perilous."

"Such irresponsible people that are disseminating offensive rhetoric in every form and mistreatment in all its forms, we must stop promoting them," he emphasized.

"It is imperative we no longer give them a platform and this must end immediately and get back to a country of love, of tranquility, of harmony and function as a cohesive unit again."