Neville Refused to Sing National Anthem When Playing For England -He’s now revealed why
Gary Neville’s reasoning for refusing to sing the national anthem at the beginning of his England career has resurfaced, as the former Manchester United defender finds himself at the center of another heated debate — this time regarding his comments on the use of the Union Jack.
The 50-year-old Sky Sports pundit recently came under fire after posting a video on LinkedIn, in which he suggested that “angry, middle-aged white men” were contributing to growing social divisions across the United Kingdom. Neville explained in the post that he had taken down a Union Flag from one of his Manchester development sites because it had become a symbol of negativity rather than unity. He urged his followers to reflect on what true patriotism means — a message that sparked intense backlash online. Despite the public outcry, Sky Sports has not taken disciplinary action against him.
Following the controversy, questions surrounding Neville’s own sense of national pride have resurfaced. A video showing the former England international refusing to sing the national anthem during his playing days has reappeared on social media, reigniting discussions about his past actions.
Neville, who earned 85 caps for the Three Lions and captained both England and Manchester United, was widely regarded as one of the finest full-backs of his generation. Known for his commitment, leadership, and outspoken personality, he was never one to shy away from expressing his beliefs — both on and off the pitch.
During the 1996 European Championship, a tournament that captured the imagination of the nation, Neville notably remained silent during the national anthem while his teammates, including Paul Gascoigne and Alan Shearer, sang with pride. Years later, the former defender addressed the incident, revealing that his decision was partly motivated by his principles and a desire to stand up for his independence of thought.
“I didn’t sing it the first time I played for England,” Neville told Mirror Sport. “Partly because I thought, I’m serious about my work and I’m not singing before a game.”
He went on to explain that his stance even caught the attention of Geoff Thompson, the then-chairman of the Football Association. “He [Thompson] only ever sought out one conversation with me,” Neville recalled. “Did he want to talk about how to prepare for a World Cup or how the FA could support the players? No — he wanted to ask why I didn’t sing the national anthem. I’m not being told by some suits what to do.”
Neville later admitted that his refusal to sing “God Save The Queen” may have been a “big mistake,” but maintained that his actions were born out of personal conviction rather than a lack of patriotism. His silence during the anthem was again noted a decade later at the 2006 FIFA World Cup, where he once more looked to the ground as fans and teammates sang in unison.
Across his international career, Neville represented England at four major tournaments, with the 2006 World Cup marking his final appearance before he officially retired from international duty in 2009. Two years later, he brought his club career to an end after more than 600 appearances for Manchester United, where he won multiple Premier League titles, FA Cups, and the UEFA Champions League under Sir Alex Ferguson.
After hanging up his boots, Neville transitioned into punditry with Sky Sports, quickly earning a reputation as one of the most analytical and articulate voices in football broadcasting. He has also dipped his toes into coaching — serving as an assistant to Roy Hodgson for the England national team and briefly managing Spanish side Valencia in 2015–16.
Since 2016, Neville has dedicated himself full-time to punditry, becoming a central figure in Sky Sports’ Premier League coverage. Yet, his outspoken nature continues to polarize opinion — with his latest comments about national identity and the Union Jack once again reminding the public that Gary Neville has always been unafraid to challenge convention, no matter how controversial it may be.