Dwight McNeil’s girlfriend Megan Sharpley slammed Crystal Palace to “play” with the Everton midfielder and said his failed move to Selhurst Park had left him “heartbroken”.
McNeil was apparently on his way to the Eagles late on transfer deadline day, but the transfer fell through. Sharpley says the inability to get a move away from Hill Dickinson Stadium has “hurt more than I can say.”
In a series of articles last night on InstagramSharpley said: “Tonight and the last 48 hours have broken my heart to see how the world of football that you love so much can be so cruel to you.
“Having something that was promised to you, being taken on an emotional roller coaster and playing with it until the last minute. Having four and a half years of your life promised, trips, medicals, deals made…promises made. Getting ready to move your entire life, our lives hundreds of miles away in the span of a few hours.
“Having this taken away from you at the last second, with absolutely no explanation. To go from everything – to radio silence, to no phone call, to no communication, and to be left heartbroken, with nothing but confusion, hurt more than I can say.”
Not OK to play with emotions – Sharpley
She added: “No matter the money, we all deserve to be treated with respect, kindness and fairness. So I’m really questioning the industry tonight. I just hope that more is done in the future to protect people from situations like the ones I witnessed tonight. Football is brutal and yes, that’s the nature of the beast, but playing with the feelings and emotions of human beings should not be acceptable.”
Sharpley, who underwent major surgery in early 2024 and credits McNeil for helping him make a full recovery, said the former Burnley man will now move on to Everton.
“So you have to keep being an Everton player,” she wrote. “The support we’ve received from this club, especially during my illness, has meant a lot in our journey, so let’s keep working, keep working and grafting for that badge. Let’s keep going Dwight, show them who you are. I’m with you.”
McNeil, who joined the Toffees from Burnley in 2022 for a fee of around £20 million, has made 14 league appearances for Everton this season, contributing one assist.
