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Gary Neville: Super League owners aimed to create 'a famine' in football

Gary Neville has followed up his stinging criticism of the Glazer family, saying that they would ...



Gary Neville: Super League own...
Soccer

Gary Neville: Super League owners aimed to create 'a famine' in football

Gary Neville has followed up his stinging criticism of the Glazer family, saying that they would have created a 'famine' in English football.

Neville's comments come as Manchester United fans delayed the kick-off of United's match with Liverpool on Sunday with on-pitch and stadium protests.

"I think all football fans today should unite behind what Manchester United fans have done," Neville said.

"What they tried to do a couple of weeks ago was really dangerous. We mustn't forget that. They tried to walk away and create a closed-shop league which would have basically create a famine in English football.

"They tried to create a famine in English, Dutch, German and French football. All over Europe. Those 15 clubs would have walked away with the money and basically destroy the ethos of relegation and promotion in English football. It is unforgivable what they did as a family two weeks ago.

"We could walk into the chippy down the road, make a bid, they could sell it and we could own it. The public might not be happy with the chips they get. I get that principle of a free market. However, the Glazer family two weeks ago tried to implement something two weeks ago that would have harmed every community in the country that has football at the heart of it."

Gary Neville

Neville believes the Glazers should now sell the club.

“I think it would be the right thing to do for the Glazers to sell. Whether they will is another matter. I’ve seen the 50+1 protests - I don’t think that’s implementable in English football, as great as it potentially would be.

"What I do think is achievable in English football at this time if that every fan in this country - whether it’s an EFL club or a National League club that’s struggling and dying like you wouldn’t believe, whether it’s grassroots facilities in the community and you can’t afford to keep your pitches in a good state, whether you’re the 14 Premier League clubs outside the top six - you really know that you’re in danger from those six.

“So what’s achievable? There’s a fan-led review that’s been announced in the last week by the government, and there is independent regulation that could be achievable if fans mobilise together.

"We need to make sure there are protections put in place against these six owners. They are a danger to English football and to one of the greatest assests England has. Big Picture, they put a proposal forward and it was kicked back. Then they said they’d signed up to the European Super League, which took it a stage further.

"The next time, you won’t get asked. They’ll just leave. They’re not going away.”

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