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Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville received shocking sexist abuse from X users, formerly known as Twitter, after swapping phones with Jill Scott as part of an experiment.
Neville and the former England legend exchanged phones in a Heineken study named ‘The Social Swap’ for five days at the end last season.
The secret experiment highlights the problem of gender bias in football against women – with Neville stunned by some of the reaction.
The former midfielder, who won the Euros with England last year, has become a household name in the sport of football and is now a respected pundit.
Gary Neville received shocking sexist abuse from X users after swapping phones with Jill Scott
The pair exchanged phones in a Heineken study named ‘The Social Swap’ before the end of last season
The social experiment with Neville shows just how much gender bias impacts female fans far more than men.
In response to Neville posting about Champions League matches, one users wrote: ‘Get back in the kitchen, babe.’
While another wrote: ‘You should probably concentrate on the girl’s league.’
Another added: ‘You finally agreed to marry me?’
‘Seems like your brain’s gone missing. Better leave football to the boys then luv,’ another troll replied.
While another response read: ‘Save your opinions for what to make for dinner.’
Scott, posting on Neville’s phone, got a reply saying: ‘The most objective opinion I’ve seen from you.’
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Reacting to the toxic replies, Neville said that it goes to far when negativity in football is linked to gender.
Tweeting off of Scott’s phone, Neville received a few abusive replies to his post
The former Manchester United defender was left stunned by some of the replies
‘The heated debates and rivalries are what makes football so exhilarating, said Neville.’
‘But when negativity is linked to gender, this goes too far, especially from behind a screen.
‘By putting myself in Jill’s shoes and seeing the reaction, I have seen first-hand the uglier side of this sport that I love and want to make it clear that football is for everyone.
The Euros winner said that anyone can be a fans of football, regardless of gender
‘On the pitch and online, we should treat each other with respect no matter our gender, race, sexuality or what colour shirt we’re wearing.’
While Scott added: ‘Attitudes have definitely changed, but there’s no doubt that female fans, pundits and players still get a lot more online negativity than men due to gender bias. You develop a thick skin – but we shouldn’t have to.
‘Some people have probably been left a little red-faced by this experiment but hopefully it’s reminded everyone of the need to kick gender bias out of the game for good.
‘Anyone can be a fan of sport, regardless of gender and it’s time to remember this.’
