Protesters interrupt Salford match over Neville's flag remarks

Individuals who invaded the pitch while holding England flags temporarily stopped Salford's League Two game versus Oldham on Saturday, as they demonstrated against remarks from co-owner and ex-Manchester United skipper Gary Neville.

As a commentator for Sky Sports and a property developer, Neville recently mentioned that he took down a Union Jack flag from a construction site in Manchester because it was "employed in a harmful manner".

The Union Jack, representing the United Kingdom, along with England's St George's Cross, have appeared frequently throughout Britain lately.

This occurs amid intense discussions regarding immigration rates in the UK.

Two demonstrators in white hoodies bearing the words "Gary Neville is a traitor" entered the field at the fourth-tier club Salford, which is jointly owned by Neville and former England skipper David Beckham.

One participant attempted to insert an England flag at the centre spot, while some supporters participated in a chant with a swear word directed at Neville, followed by calls of "England, England".

Security personnel escorted the demonstrators away.

The far-right group Britain First took credit for the event, sharing footage on social media platforms.

"Today, Britain First collaborated with Salford locals who are patriots to challenge Gary Neville's disloyalty during the Salford versus Oldham football fixture," the group stated on X.

Affiliated with the governing Labour Party, Neville shared a video on social media earlier this month, noting that the populace is "being set against one another" by "irate, middle-aged white males who understand their actions".

The ex-defender uploaded the clip the day after a fatal incident at a Manchester synagogue, which authorities connected to Islamic extremism, and he affirmed his pride as an Englishman yet challenged the necessity of displaying flags.

"We ought to examine our own behaviour and aim to return to a balanced stance since we are being drawn to extremes unnecessarily," he remarked.

Even with the interruption, Salford secured a 1-0 victory.