Gary Neville in strange row with anti-vax ex-Liverpool star Rickie Lambert (original) (raw)
Gary Neville was surprised to see his comments on the independent football regulator idea thrown back at him on social media by former Liverpool striker Rickie Lambert
Gary Neville was surprised by Rickie Lambert's reply
Gary Neville has clashed with Rickie Lambert on Twitter after the former Liverpool striker accused him of helping Labour to “destroy our way of life”.
Lambert has followed fellow Southampton legend Matt Le Tissier into the bizarre conspiracy-ridden depths of the internet since retiring in 2017. The 42-year-old has made headlines for amplifying misinformation about the Covid-19 vaccine and claiming that speaking positively to water can make it cleaner.
He’s now taken aim at Neville, who is one of the leading voices behind the implementation of an independent football regulator, which came out of the failed Super League breakaway attempts. The Football Governance Bill was reintroduced by the government in July, having failed to pass through parliament before the General Election.
The idea made headlines over the weekend because UEFA are concerned that its implementation could lead to “government interference” in the sport. European football’s governing body has threatened to kick England out of Euro 2028 unless it receives some assurances.
Former Manchester United defender Neville broke his hiatus on social media to brush off the concerns around the independent football regulator. Neville tweeted: “I don’t post much anymore but feel the need to on this subject. Please don’t be fooled by the scaremongering regarding the independent regulator and England losing tournaments. They will do anything to stop it coming in and are happy to create misinformation and apply soft power in the right places in the meantime.
“The Regulator will have no impact at all on the quality of the Premier League yet will importantly protect the wider game and pyramid. England will also not lose hosting tournaments, but even if they did it’s more important that we protect the entirety of English club football than getting a tournament every 50 years.”
His words angered Lambert, who appeared to have equated the plans for football with Labour’s decision to take away winter fuel payments for some pensioners. “It’s becoming clear exactly who and what you are @GNev2,” he replied.
Rickie Lambert has slipped into the depths of conspiracy theory (
Image:
YouTube/Anything Goes With James English)
“Instead of using the footballing community to come together and stop what is being implemented onto us, you are using your position to try and persuade them to accept the corrupt, cowardly shadow government's plan to destroy our way of life and society.”
Neville simply replied with: “You ok Rickie?” alongside two crying laughing emojis before Lambert shot back: “I’m good Gary, you seen what your mate’s doing to this country? Why would you let them anywhere near our game?”
Lambert appeared to be referring to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who was interviewed by Neville – a Labour supporter – in the Lake District back in June. The interview formed part of a party election broadcast for Labour, who then went on to oust the Tories.
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