Dwight McNeil’s girlfriend has openly criticized the football industry, describing it as ‘cruel,’ after McNeil was left emotional and in tears when his transfer to Crystal Palace fell through.

The 26-year-old Everton winger was anticipated to join the South London club, having already passed a medical for a potential loan move that included a £20 million purchase obligation.

However, despite Crystal Palace submitting the necessary deal sheet for McNeil’s transfer, they were unable to finalize the paperwork in time.

In response, McNeil’s girlfriend, Megan Sharpley, expressed her frustration through a series of Instagram stories, detailing the emotional toll the situation took.

“Dwight, I’ve always admired what you do,” she began. “You’ve dedicated most of your life to reaching a level achieved by only the top 0.1 percent.”

Dwight McNeil’s girlfriend has hit out at the ‘cruel’ world of football after his deadline day move to Crystal Palace collapsed at the last moment

McNeil had looked set to join Palace on loan with a £20million obligation to buy on Monday

She continued, “I know you love your job, the sport, and you’re aware of how fortunate you are to do something that many only dream about.”

‘We appreciate our lives, how fortunate we are, and the millions of football fans that keep the game alive and ultimately keep you in a job you adore. You’ve sacrificed a lot and most people don’t have much of an idea of the difficult hardships you’ve suffered and dealt with in your personal life. And we crack on, that’s who we are, we appreciate how blessed our lives are.

‘But the world doesn’t seem to accept that someone as fortunate as you is allowed to suffer hardships and feel sad. But you’re a human, a beautiful incredible 26-year-old human being. And no matter about money or the success you’ve worked so hard to achieve, you are allowed to feel.

‘Tonight, and the last 48 hours, have broken my heart to see how the football world you love so much can be so cruel to you.’

Sharpley continued: ‘To have something promised to you, to have been dragged along on an emotional rollercoaster, and to be toyed with until the final minute. 

‘To have 4-and-a-half-years of your life promised to you, traveling, medicals, agreements made… promises made. To have prepared to move your entire life, our life 100 of miles away in the space of a few hours.

‘For it to be torn away from you at the last second, with absolutely no explanation. Going from everything – to radio silence, no phone call, no communication and be left, broken hearted with nothing but confusion, has hurt more than I can say.

‘I sit with you, knowing in my heart and deep down into my soul that you will bounce back from this. I am your biggest supporter. And I know you will overcome this with a fire in your belly and a motivation that no one can stop. I have already seen it tonight, even whilst you’re facing the lowest point of your career.’

Sharpley reaffirmed her support for her partner before she went on to accuse Palace of messing with her partner’s mental health and revealed he had been left in tears by the collapse of the transfer. 

Sharpley also revealed that McNeil was left ‘distressed’ and in tears after the move fell through

‘Messing with human beings feelings and emotions shouldn’t be acceptable,’ she added

After the lengthy series of Instagram stories from Sharpley, McNeil also broke his silence

‘We live in a world where everyone is aware how big of a problem mental health is,’ she added. ‘So in football, why do we find it acceptable because these young men are on a lot of money, that it’s okay to mess and toy with their mental health and that’s just ‘part of the job’?

‘No matter of money, we all deserve to be treated with respect, kindness and fairly. So I really question the industry tonight. I only hope there’s more done in the future to protect people from situations like what I’ve witnessed tonight.

‘Football is brutal and yes, it’s the nature of the beast, but messing with human beings feelings and emotions shouldn’t be acceptable. People only see one side on the media, you don’t see the tears, the emotion and the distress I’ve seen tonight.

‘Dwight, to the present, and the future. Every single thing happens for a reason, I will always believe what is meant for you will find you, and with your hard work and determination I’ll never doubt only the best will come your way, and I’m so excited to see what you can achieve…

‘So here’s to carrying on being an Everton player. The support we’ve had from this club, especially during my illness, has meant a lot on our journey, so let’s keep grinding, keep working and grafting for this badge. Let’s keep going Dwight, show them who you are. I’m right by your side.’

The emotional post from Sharpley referenced her own illness when she was diagnosed with a large, serious tumour on her ovary and was forced to undergo urgent open surgery in December 2023. McNeil was praised for his unwavering support at the time. 

The winger, who has played 120 times for Everton since joining from Burnley in 2022, also weighed in on the situation in regards to his failed move.

Sharing the final story from his partner, McNeil broke his silence as he added: ‘Whilst even now I’m still left in the dark. What I do know, and have been supported with, I am an Everton player. I will use this as motivation.

‘I love you moo, I couldn’t thank you enough for all of your love and support.’