Social media users mocked Garry Neville’s claim that UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson was responsible for the rise of racism in football. “You are watching the prime minister’s debate last night where he is talking about migration to this country, and people having to have certain levels. It fuels it all the time. It has got worse over the last few years in this country and not just in football", said the former athlete.
Neville, who played right back in Manchester United for almost 20 years and is now a sports pundit, made the statement referring to a racism incident that occurred during a match between Manchester United and Manchester City. Videos posted online show a man making monkey gestures towards the black players of Man United.
Social media users made fun of Gary Neville’s claim that PM Johnson’s statements on immigration were fuelling racism in football.
It's raining here.
— Jon Harper 🇮🇪 🇬🇧 (@CentreGround6) December 7, 2019
I blame Johnson
Angered netizens said it was stupid to blame one person for a problem that has existed for years.
I seemed to remember there been racism in football for decades just like in society. Stupidity to say it is all down to one person or one party everyone needs to take responsibility to stamp it out.
— Andy (@AndyHardey) December 8, 2019
This has been going on long before @BorisJohnson was around. @GNev2 didn’t feel like mentioning it before? Just thought he’d mention it a week before the General Election🤔
— Paul Reynolds (@paulreynolds75) December 7, 2019
Other netizens said that if there is anyone to blame for the issue, it's football associations, which have turned a blind eye to the problem.
Football is to blame by not taking Racism seriously with its punishments and fines, showing ignorance and turning a blind eye to it
— Gary Howes (@GaryHowes1974) December 8, 2019
Some users called on the football star to do his job and not get into politics.
Sports commentators should stick to commenting on sports, if you want to talk about politics go and be a guest on Question Time, leave your political views at home and do the job you paid for. Dont care if ya Lab or Con I watch sports programs for sports not politics.
— Shaun Duffy (@Catalan_mistral) December 8, 2019
Others defended PM Johnson’s desire to protect the country’s borders, saying that advocating for controlled migration cannot be blamed for racism.
So if you want to have a sensible immigration system that means you're racist? Ridiculous.
— Lynn McDonald (@LynnMcD61564763) December 8, 2019
will someone explain to this idiot Gary Neville that controlling immigration is neither racist or exclusive to the UK,its something all countries do,whats wrong with controlling how many people come into the country & who and what they are ?
— mick (@qprmicky) December 8, 2019
Still others noted that it’s weird to accuse Johnson, who is a member of the UK Conservative Party, of racism, especially when Labour and UKIP were being investigated for that very reason.
Funny that. I only remember two parties being investigated for racism...
— Killintheweek (@Killintheweek) December 7, 2019
Pretty sure it wasn't the Tories 🤔👌
What a load of rubbish. And no mention of the 11 counts of personal anti-semitism by @jeremycorbyn either!
— Fred frederick (@Fredfrederick13) December 8, 2019
UK Prime Boris Johnson recently said that his government intends to limit the number of migrants coming to the country, favouring highly skilled newcomers. Johnson said that migrants would be ranked on certain criteria – language skills, qualification, and working experience – and divided in two three categories with authorities not putting limitations on the number of people from the first group, made up of highly qualified workers.
PM Johnson has lately become the target of accusations from various sides. He has been criticised by the father of a man, who was killed in a recent terrorist attack on London Bridge for using his son’s death to “make political capital”. Johnson proposed toughening prison sentences for people convicted of terrorism after it became known that Usman Khan, responsible for the carnage, was released from prison on license after serving only eight years in jail for plotting a terror attack.
The Labour Party, in its turn, attacked Johnson, claiming it has proof that the country’s National Health Service was at risk under a potential post-Brexit trade agreement between the United Kingdom and the United States. Labour MPs asserted that Johnson’s “toxic deal” with President Donald Trump would give US companies access to the state health service. PM Johnson categorically denied the accusations, calling them nonsense.
