Simon Jordan has made his stance clear on the criticism aimed at Manchester United legends Gary Neville and Rio Ferdinand over their roles in punditry and commentary.
Gary Neville and Rio Ferdinand played alongside one another for both club and country and the pair enjoyed incredible success at Manchester United together.
Ferdinand called it time on his playing career in 2015 and the 46-year-old United legend has become a leading pundit for TNT Sports and a media personality.
Neville’s managerial career at Valencia ended in disaster, but the United legend has been a key figure in football media and a staple addition for Sky Sports punditry.
United legends Ferdinand and Neville have also done punditry for important international football tournaments, including the World Cup and the Euros.
Despite their success off the pitch in the world of football media, Neville and Ferdinand have faced criticism for their perceived ‘bias’ towards their former club.
What Simon Jordan had to say about Man Utd legends Gary Neville and Rio Ferdinand in both commentary and punditry
Rio Ferdinand has faced criticism for his ‘inherited bias’ towards the Red Devils after Manchester United’s comeback win over Lyon in the Europa League quarter-finals.
The ex-United and England star was on the TNT Sports commentary team alongside the likes of fellow pundit Robbie Savage for the second-leg tie at Old Trafford.
United knocked Lyon out of the Europa League last Thursday after Ruben Amorim’s men rallied back and beat the French side in a thrilling 5-4 contest on the night.
Simon Jordan claimed that he didn’t agree with some of the criticism against the likes of Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville and TNT Sports pundit Ferdinand.
Speaking in his column for The Daily Mail, the TalkSPORT presenter wrote: “I’m referring to the criticism aimed at Rio Ferdinand and Robbie Savage for their very excitable reaction – conveniently captured by a commentators’ cam – to Manchester United’s comeback win in Europe.
“Clive Tyldesley has led the dissenters, comparing the mainstream broadcaster TNT to a fans’ TV channel.
“I’m not sure I agree with him. The insight somebody has from playing the game at the highest level, whether it’s Ferdinand, Gary Neville or Jamie Carragher, does not equate to some of what constitutes as observations from an array of fan channels; from the type of language used to their incoherent nonsense offered as analysis.
“I know who I’d rather listen to and don’t see why perceived impartiality is always required just because the event is on traditional television rather than YouTube?”
Simon Jordan reveals when he thinks the criticism against Man Utd legends Gary Neville and Rio Ferdinand is fair
Jordan said that people could “feel irritated” at both Neville and Ferdinand, but he doesn’t believe that it should be based on them being “biased and one-dimensional.”
However, the 57-year-old ex-Crystal Palace chairman suggested that pundits should be criticised for their “foolish” comments rather than their reactions on commentary.
“Today’s co-commentators have qualifications of a different level, gained and garnered by playing the game,” Jordan continued.
“I’m sure most television viewers and radio listeners can see through the weeds and tell what a good commentary is, and what lacks objectivity and steers into the unlistenable.
“There may be reasons to feel irritated by Neville and Ferdinand but not necessarily because they are biased and one-dimensional.
“If you are going to condemn Rio as foolish, it would be due to statements like ‘Ollie’s at the wheel’ which didn’t age well, rather than the roar last week to greet a late United winner.”
United languish in 14th place in the Premier League table and the Red Devils will now face Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
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