- Phil Neville has apologised for a series of sexist tweets found on his timeline
- The England Women’s manager’s reign has got off to a nightmare start
- Neville says the tweets do not truly reflect his character or beliefs
- READ MORE: Liverpool transfer target wants to play under Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho
England Women’s manager Phil Neville has released an official statement apologising for a series of sexist tweets found on his timeline in the wake of him landing his new job.
The 41-year-old was a surprise appointment by the Lionesses given his lack of experience in management, but looks set to continue in the post despite this nightmarish start to his reign.
The Daily Mail reported that Neville deleted his Twitter account yesterday after flagging up a number of tweets found to be in poor taste for a man taking up his position with the England Women’s team.
For now, the Manchester United legend seems to have got away with it and has insisted his jokes about a woman’s role in the home and domestic violence are not a true reflection of his character or beliefs.
[1/2] Statement from Phil Neville: “Following comments made a number of years ago I would like to clarify that they were not and are not a true and genuine reflection of either my character or beliefs, and would like to apologise.
— FA Spokesperson (@FAspokesperson) January 24, 2018
‘Following comments made a number of years ago I would like to clarify that they were not and are not a true and genuine reflection of either my character or beliefs, and would like to apologise,’ Neville said.
‘I am fully aware of my responsibilities as the England Women’s Head Coach and am immensely proud and honoured to have been given the role. I am now looking forward to the future and will work tirelessly to try and help bring success to the team.’
Neville will certainly need to get off to a good start on the pitch after this clear lack of judgement off it, though many will hope a few tweets mostly from around five years ago are not in fact a huge cause for concern.
Still, this incident raises questions once again about football’s lagging behind the times in terms of attitudes towards issues such as sexism and homophobia in particular.