Dwight McNeil’s girlfriend fires shots as late £20m transfer collapses | Football | Sport

Dwight McNeil remains ‘in the dark’ following the collapse of his proposed transfer to Crystal Palace in the dying moments of the transfer window. The winger had appeared set to join Palace for £20million, initially on loan with an obligation to purchase in the summer.

A deal sheet was lodged to attempt to grant Palace an extra two hours to finalise the signing whilst the winger completed a medical. Everton believed there was sufficient time to process all the necessary documentation to conclude the deal, but in a dramatic turn of events, Palace’s paperwork was not finalised in time.

McNeil has been a peripheral figure under David Moyes this season, sitting behind Iliman Ndiaye, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Jack Grealish in the hierarchy. However, he now appears destined to stay at the club until at least the summer.

His partner, Megan Sharpley, posted on Instagram in the early hours of Tuesday morning, criticising Palace for their handling of the 26-year-old.

In an extensive message, she wrote: “Dwight. I’ve always been in awe of your job, the way you’ve committed most of your life to achieve what only the 0.1% achieve. I know you love your job, the sport and you know how lucky you are to do what most people only dreams of.

“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.

“To have something promised to you, you have been dragged along 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, travelling, medicals, agreements made…promises made. To have prepared to move your entire life, our life’s 100 of miles away in the space of a few hours.

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“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 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.

“We live in a world where everyone is aware how big of a problem mental health is. 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.

“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.”

McNeil broke his silence on the failed deal, responding to the post: “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 your effort and support.”

Despite being an unused substitute for Everton in Saturday’s 1-1 draw against Brighton, McNeil remains a part of the squad. With Moyes’ team set to face Fulham in their next Premier League match on Saturday, it remains to be seen whether he will make the matchday squad.