Gary Neville found himself on the receiving end of verbal abuse from a Manchester City supporter following the club’s Carabao Cup triumph over Arsenal at Wembley on Sunday.
The 51-year-old former Manchester United right-back was working as a co-commentator for Sky Sports when City claimed their ninth League Cup with a 2-0 win.
A celebrating City fan directed obscene chants at Neville, shouting “Where’s your club, where’s your team, you Red ****?” while the pundit stepped away from the gantry to pose for a photograph.
Initially appearing to disregard the taunts, Neville eventually turned towards the stands and gestured for silence by placing his finger to his lips.
The supporter responded with laughter, prompting a wry smile from Neville before he resumed his broadcasting duties.
The incident echoes a confrontation involving Neville’s former United teammate Roy Keane at Portman Road in November 2024.
Following United’s 1-1 draw with Ipswich, the 53-year-old former United captain was filmed setting down his microphone and approaching a fan who had been directing abuse at him.
Gary Neville found himself on the receiving end of verbal abuse from a Manchester City supporter following the club’s Carabao Cup triumph over Arsenal at Wembley on Sunday
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A heated exchange followed, with Keane repeatedly challenging the supporter to “wait and discuss it in the car park.”
The former Ipswich manager, who was in charge at the club between 2009 and 2011, had previously suffered a physical assault during the prior season when he was headbutted in a corporate hospitality area at Arsenal.
Discussions between broadcasters, the Premier League and individual clubs in December 2024 resulted in new protective measures for television personnel.
Crystal Palace will be targeting Carabao Cup glory following their win over Liverpool at Anfield | PA/GETTY/GBNEWS
Security staff are now stationed in front of commentary positions at venues where pundits work in close proximity to spectators.
Authorities have attributed the rise in such incidents to the influence of social media platforms.
Officials maintain that certain supporters view the accessibility of broadcast professionals as an opportunity to gain online attention by filming themselves directing abuse at pundits in hopes of provoking a response.
Meanwhile, at Wembley, it was City who emerged victorious.
Pep Guardiola’s side won 2-0, with Nico O’Reilly bagging a brilliant brace while England boss Thomas Tuchel watched from the stands.
Speaking after his side’s win, Guardiola admitted he was shocked at how well his side performed – having previously expected them to lose.
Nico O’Reilly scored twice as Man City beat Arsenal to win the Carabao Cup | PA
“Not even me gave one pound to the victory today. We could not win against Nottingham Forest home or West Ham away [in the Premier League], we lost 5-1 aggregate against Madrid [in the Champions League last 16],” he said.
“But the players prove again – the old ones and especially the new ones – that when required to do something during a season in which we have not been consistent, today we achieved it.
“Especially without the ball and with the ball in the second half, was unbelievably good. I could not believe how unbelievably good we had done in the second half.
“It’s really important for the club as well, not just the young guys.
“James [Trafford, the goalkeeper] saved us in the first minutes. Everybody made a contribution – Max Alleyne [City’s young defender] played at Newcastle in the semi-final with a lot of injuries. These competitions we need everybody involved.
“Today I made one substitution, yes [with Phil Foden coming on], and it is never over at 2-0 but I felt the team was there. Jérémy [Doku] kept the ball, Antoine [Semenyo] as well and Bernardo [Silva] and Rodri. I think what I said in the previous days: the team has been something underneath [the very best] but I can smell that they can flourish and winning helps to anticipate the process a little bit.”
