Gary Neville has spoken out against the media coverage of Manchester United forward Mason Greenwood after The Sun published a story in which the striker is alleged to have inhaled nitrous oxide, often referred to as laughing gas.
Greenwood has released a statement apologising for the latest revelations of him inhaling nitrous oxide.
"I have now been made aware of the health risks associated with this practice and accept that even trying it, as shown in these historical pictures, was poor judgement on my part. I strongly urge others not to follow my example.
"As an 18-year-old I am learning all the time, however, this week I have also learned that I will be judged to a higher standard because of my career as a footballer and I must respect that in future. I am determined to repay the faith shown in me by my manager and coaches."
The news caps a difficult week for Greenwood after he was sent home from England's squad for their Nations League tie against Denmark after breaking Covid-19 protocol by inviting two local girls into the team hotel following England's win against Iceland.
Manchester City midfielder Phil Foden was also disciplined for his role in the incident.
Speaking about the ordeal, England manager Gareth Southgate said that trust needed to be rebuilt.
"Well, I’ve got a lot to think about. Trust needs to be rebuilt and that takes time "I think with both of the boys, I said yesterday there has to be a consequence to what happened and then we’ve got to help them rebuild.
"Young people – often older people do – (make mistakes) but that doesn’t mean that you hold that against them forever. They’ve got to have a chance to rebuild and with the spotlight that’s on them, with what they are having to go through at the moment, with what their families will be having to deal with, then that’s an incredible ordeal for young people," said the England manager.
Speaking in his role as a Sky Sports pundit, Neville has questioned the latest story about Greenwood.
"I feel a little uncomfortable. Last week, completely accepted that's a big story. While he's in the England hotel, it's in the public interest," he said.
The former Manchester United defender and England coach feels that the story of Greenwood allegedly inhaling laughing gas is "not in the public interest."
"But at what point do we feel uncomfortable with things where you feel like someone is being victimised? I feel like this mornings story off the back of last week, what's that going to do this morning to help that boy, it was a step too far for me. To me, that's not in the public interest," said Neville on Sky Sports.
The former Valencia manager also compared the Greenwood story to coverage of Raheem Sterling in the tabloid press over the years.
"We know that ultimately, these stories can have significant damage on people," he said.
You can view his interview below.
🗣"At what point do we feel uncomfortable with things where you feel like someone is being victimised, I feel like this mornings story off the back of last week, what's that going to do this morning to help that boy, it was a step too far for me!" @GNev2 on Mason Greenwood pic.twitter.com/454Qv2wACS
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) September 13, 2020
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