Greater Manchester Police have arrested three individuals accused of entering the field of play at Salford City vs Oldham Athletic, which falls under the Football Offences Act.

Footage appeared to show a group of men running onto the pitch during the League Two clash, causing the match to be stopped. They appeared to be wearing white hoodies with the message "Gary Neville is a Traitor" emblazoned on the back while also carrying England flags - one of the accused also seemingly tried to plant the England flag in the middle of the pitch

They were quickly dragged off the pitch by security, who dealt with them while the game was paused. Neville is a co-owner of Salford and recently completed a substantial takeover of the club as part of a new consortium also featuring David Beckham.

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The protest comes amid immense criticism being aimed at Neville, after the ex-United skipper revealed he ordered a Union Jack flag hung on one of his housing developments sites to be taken down, at a time when numerous England and Great Britain flags were being tied to lampposts and painted on mini roundabouts,

At the start of the month, in a video where he explained the exchange, the Manchester United legend said: "Seeing the news last night and the news this morning dominated by the horrific attacks within the Jewish community just a mile from here.

"When I was driving to Salford City last night, going down Littleton Road, seeing probably 50 or 60 Union Jack flags. And on the way back I went down the parallel road, Bury New Road, which has got the Jewish community right at its heart, and they're out on the streets, defiant, not hiding or in fear.

"And I just kept thinking as I was driving home last night that we’re all being turned on each other and the division that’s being created is absolutely disgusting. Mainly created by angry middle-aged white men who know exactly what they’re doing.

"Funnily enough on one of my development sites last week there was a Union Jack flag put up and I took it down instantly.”

He also added: "The Union Jack flag used in a negative fashion is not right and I’m a proud supporter of England, of Great Britain, of our country and will champion it anywhere in the world as one of the greatest places to live.”

Not long after his comments, a group of people hung Union Jack and St. George's cross flags around Neville's Hotel Football establishment next to Old Trafford. Reform party leader Nigel Farage also said he was "amazed" Neville was not dismissed by Sky Sports.

Neville did not take any time away from his responsibilities with Sky. He was on co-commentary for Chelsea's 2-1 home victory over Liverpool, just before the international break.

Salford went on to beat Oldham Athletic 1-0. Daniel Udoh's goal in the 14th minute was enough to secure the three points for City, who moved up to 7th in League Two.

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