Gary Neville brutally slapped down Conservative MP Lee Anderson after the pair were involved in a war of words on social media
It followed the former Manchester United star's comments on nurses pay during ITV's coverage of the World Cup final. Neville regularly airs his political views on Twitter and over the last month, he's been in Qatar working for several broadcasters, combining his appetite for football with his outspoken views regarding the World Cup hosts and their divisive attitudes and values.
During Sunday's finale, which was won by Argentina on penalties, Neville was keen to point out that football must take into account a country's attitude before allowing them to host major events. He then went on to recognise problems with the United Kingdom's leadership, citing ongoing strikes involving nurses and rail workers.
He said on ITV: "We should detest low pay, we should detest poor accommodation and working conditions. That is something we can never, ever accept in this region or in any region. And it is just worth mentioning that we've got a current government in our own country who are demonising rail workers, ambulance workers and, terrifyingly, nurses.
"So in our country we've got to look at workers rights, but certainly wherever football goes, we have to pick up on workers' rights because people have got to be equal, they've got to be treated equal. We can't have people being paid a pittance to work, in accommodation that is unsavoury.
"That shouldn't happen here with the wealth that exists, but it shouldn't happen it our own country that our nurses are having to fight for an extra pound or two pound either."
Anderson recorded Neville's monologue and posted it on Twitter, remarking: "Another party political broadcast by a millionaire. Looks like ITV is on my banned list now. Talk about football Gary and keep your nose out of politics. You don't know what you're talking about."
Neville duly hit back. He said: "I’m glad you’re p***** off! The biggest set of charlatans to ever be in power!"
That saw Anderson, the MP for Ashfield in Nottinghamshire, double down and reply with an invitation: "Come and stand against me at the next election then in Ashfield. Would love to see you debate with someone other than yourself."
But Neville had a perfect final riposte up his sleeve, reminding Anderson of one of his past actions - voting against school meals for children.
"You voted to stop children eating school meals in a pandemic! That ends any debate you will ever enter with anyone!"
What do you make of the Twitter row between the pair? Have your say in the comments!
That was successfully challenged by United's Marcus Rashford, leading then-Conservative leader Boris Johnson into a very public U-turn.
Anderson was elected during the Conservative landslide victory back in 2019. Neville is a member of the Labour Party and sat alongside their leader, Kier Starmer, in Liverpool in September at a party conference.
Despite that, the player-turned-businessman has ruled out standing in an election, stating he has "no intention of going into politics". He's also said in the past: "I just think I'd get eaten alive. I don't know what Whitehall's like, what Westminster's like, I can only imagine what you have to do their to survive and I dont play the game. So how can I get in?"
