McNeil’s partner shares heartbreak after Palace move collapses

• Dwight McNeil’s planned deadline day move from Everton to Crystal Palace collapsed as the window closed, despite expectations of a loan with an obligation to buy.
• His girlfriend Megan Sharpley posted a long message describing him being “toyed with until the final minute” and criticised the impact on players’ mental health.
• McNeil later posted his own message saying he is “still left in the dark” but will use the situation as motivation.

Dwight McNeil’s girlfriend, Megan Sharpley, posted an emotional message after the Everton midfielder’s prospective transfer to Crystal Palace collapsed, saying he was “toyed with until the final minute.”

McNeil appeared set to leave Everton late in the window, with Chelsea’s Tyrique George joining the Merseyside club on loan for the rest of the season.

The 26-year-old was expected to join Crystal Palace on loan with an obligation to buy, but the move did not go through before the transfer window shut.

Sharpley said McNeil was left in tears when the deal fell apart, and described the past two days as devastating.

“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, to have been dragged along on 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, traveling, medicals, agreements made… promises made.

“To have prepared to move your entire life, our life 100 of miles away in the space of a few hours.

“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.”

Sharpley then pointed to the mental health impact of how transfer negotiations can play out, arguing money should not be used as an excuse for treating players poorly.

“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.”

McNeil has made 14 Premier League appearances for Everton this season, starting five, averaging 44 minutes per appearance.

He also posted his own message after the collapse, saying he still did not know why it fell apart but reaffirmed his focus on Everton.

“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 of your love and support.”