Flag alert! Gary Neville may not be Orwell but he is a very English type of patriot | Barney Ronay

The article discusses the issue of excessive patriotism and flag-waving in modern sports, using the example of Gary Neville's comments on the topic. The author acknowledges that Neville, a former English footballer, is an easy target for accusations of luxury hypocrisy, but notes that he has at least tried to address an issue that has everything to do with the aggressively flag-draped and militarised nature of modern sport. The article cites a passage from Catch-22 to illustrate the absurdity of the "Glorious Loyalty Oath Crusade" taking place in the real world, where people are required to pledge allegiance to the flag just to use basic amenities. The author argues that football, as a public platform, has become an echo chamber for the anxieties of the "real world," reflecting the nation's hostage to "bad actors and phoney rage." Overall, the article provides a critical commentary on the increasing prevalence of excessive patriotism and flag-waving in modern sports, using Neville's comments as a starting point to discuss the broader societal trends.