Gary Neville was told off for a joke he thought was hilarious on Sky Sports on Sunday night.
Neville provided co-commentary for Manchester City’s 3-1 win over Aston Villa at the Etihad Stadium, where the Premier League champions cut Arsenal’s lead at the top of the table to three points.
City blew Villa away in the first half courtesy of goals from Rodri, Ilkay Gundogan and Riyad Mahrez, with Ollie Watkins bagging a second half consolation for the visitors.
After the match, Neville was in the studio for extra analysis but he couldn’t resist a bit of comedy.
Prior to going off the air, Kelly Cates plugged Sky’s documentary on City’s 1998/1999 promotion season, when they came from 2-0 down in stoppage time against Gillingham to win the play-off final on penalties.
It’s titled, ‘We’re Not Really Here: Man City’ – a nod to one of the club’s classic songs. But as soon as Cates said that sentence, Neville chimed in: “Might not be in a few years…”
He laughed profusely and Micah Richards, a City hero, told him to “tone it down, will you”.
Roy Keane smiled but Cates said, “We nearly got through it Gary” as he replied, “I’m only joking Micah relax, you can’t joke anymore”.
Cates made sure to cover all bases by adding: “We can’t pre-judge the outcome of any investigation, as you well know.”
She then professionally finished advertising the programme but conceded, “From all of us here, I think it’s probably best we go, don’t you?”.
The charges were announced by the Premier League on Monday following a four-year investigation and other clubs pressured for the heaviest sanctions – including expulsion from the league and points deductions – if City were to be found guilty.
Image: AlamyThey return to action in a huge top of the table clash with Arsenal on Wednesday and have the chance to usurp the Gunners as league leaders with a win.
