05 January 2024 , 19:13
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Gary Neville has responded to ITV's strongly-worded statement after Joey Barton compared two female pundits to serial killers.
Barton described Eni Aluko and Lucy Ward - who both worked on ITV's coverage for Crystal Palace's 0-0 draw against Everton on Thursday - as "the Fred and Rose West of football commentary". The Wests murdered a total of 12 women and young girls over the course of 20 years.
After a short clip of pre-match analysis from Aluko was posted on Twitter, Barton responded in vile fashion. "How is she even talking about men's football," the ex-QPR and Manchester City midfielder said. "She can't even kick a ball properly. Your coverage of the game EFC last night, took it to a new low. Eni Aluko and Lucy Ward, the Fred and Rose West of football commentary."
ITV posted a statement to condemn Barton's comments. The broadcaster said: "For Joey Barton, an ex-professional player with a significant social media presence, to target two of our pundits, Eni Aluko and Lucy Ward, with such vindictive remarks based on gender and to invoke the names of serial killers in doing so is clearly contemptible and shameful on his part. Football is for everyone."
Shortly after ITV released those comments, former Manchester United defender Neville replied with a strongly-worded verdict as he defended Aluko and Ward. He tweeted: "Well done ITV. It’s gone too far this and mentioning serial killers is quite simply incredible.
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"My daughters have watched Salford City with me for 10 years and like to comment on football, my mum was kicked out of the football team (boys in the 1960's) and stopped playing due to mysogyny, my sister struggled for funding for her sport for years and my brother was mocked when he took over the England women’s team.
Gary Neville has responded to ITV's statement (Getty Images)"I come from a family that has fought these issues for years and I’ve witnessed it first hand. All this does is just discourage and it’s not the way forward. It’s bloody hard work for Women to succeed in sport and media as it is without this stuff."
It didn't take Barton long to offer his response to Neville, however. "Gary, please keep your head down or you will get emptied as well. I know they pay your wages and I don’t want to have to put you away," Barton replied. "Worry about one of the other 3758 business things you’ve got going on. I’ll decide when it’s gone too far. Not you."