GARY NEVILLE believes booing national anthems is ‘not an attack’ after the FA were charged over England fans jeering Denmark’s song.
The Manchester United legend’s controversial opinion has divided fans on social media, with Gary Lineker having an opposing view.
Neville tweeted on Friday morning: “When I played in different countries our national anthem was booed, I always took it as the opposition fans trying to unsettle us, drown our fans out and never took it as some kind of attack on us as people.
“Same when we did it to other teams. Is it really that bad and disrespectful?”
The ex-England assistant manager’s comments were rejected by many on Twitter, with one replying: “It’s disrespectful for anybody to do it.”
While another added: “It’s the lack of class. Can’t see anyway around it.”
But many of his followers agreed with him, with one replying: “Exactly. It’s only the non-football fans that don’t get it.”
While another tweeted: “Completely agree. It’s about generating a hostile atmosphere towards the opponent and making Wembley as much of a fortress as possible!
“Genuinely don’t believe 95 per cent of fans do it as a disrespectful thing.”
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The FA have been charged by Uefa for fans booing the Danish national anthem and expect to receive a substantial fine from European football’s governing body.
England supporters have also been accused of shining a laser pen in goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel’s eyes just before Harry Kane’s penalty and ‘letting off fireworks’.
Italy fans, meanwhile, united with Spain supporters to jeer Londoners chanting ‘football’s coming home’ during their semi-final clash.
Match of the Day host Gary Lineker has also given his view on the boo boys.
He tweeted: “If you’re lucky enough to get a ticket for the final, please, please don’t boo the Italian anthem.
“It’s an absolutely belter and worth listening to. It’s bloody rude, disrespectful and utterly classless.”
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
