Premier League club ban Gary Neville from their stadium
Fri May 23, 2025 5:46 pm
Nottingham Forest have banned Gary Neville from their crucial final game of the season at home to Chelsea over comments the Sky Sports pundit made about the club.
The Midlanders have asked Sky Sports to change their commentary team for the clash after they felt Neville has developed a grudge against the club and been overly critical of them this season despite their clear progress on the pitch.
Forest go into the Premier League's final weekend with a chance of earning Champions League football next season, with the club surprising virtually everyone by keeping pace with the big boys throughout the campaign.
The Daily Mail report that Forest have written to Sky Sports to register a formal complaint about Neville, who had announced that he was due to be in attendance for the clash with Chelsea.
The Premier League have been made aware of Forest's feelings, and the Mail report adds that it is within the power of all clubs to decide who they permit into their stadiums for matches.
Neville criticised Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis for coming onto the pitch and exchanging words with manager Nuno Espirito Santo following the recent 2-2 draw with Leicester City, during which Forest forward Taiwo Awoniyi sustained a serious abdominal injury that required surgery.
Neville posted on X: "Scandalous from that Forest owner. 'Nuno should go and negotiate his exit tonight with him! The Forest fans, players and manager do not deserve that."
Forest hit back with a strongly worded statement claiming that Marinakis was simply concerned for Awoniyi's feelings, and hit out at the 'fake news' from those who suggested the owner was angry with Nuno for the concession of Facundo Buonanotte's late goal which cost them two points.
The club said: "We urge former coaches and players, and other public figures in the game, to resist the urge to rush to judgement and fake news online, especially when they do not have the full facts and context - least of all the injured player.
"Baseless and ill-informed outrage for the purposes of personal social media traction serves no one — least of all the injured player."
Neville responded to the statement on his podcast this week, saying "Sorry Mr Mainakis" in a sarcastic tone.
Forest received an apology from Neville for language he used when discussing the statement the club issued after last season's 2-0 defeat to Everton. The club were furious about refereeing decisions in the match, with Neville likening them to 'a mafia gang'.
The Midlanders have asked Sky Sports to change their commentary team for the clash after they felt Neville has developed a grudge against the club and been overly critical of them this season despite their clear progress on the pitch.
Forest go into the Premier League's final weekend with a chance of earning Champions League football next season, with the club surprising virtually everyone by keeping pace with the big boys throughout the campaign.
The Daily Mail report that Forest have written to Sky Sports to register a formal complaint about Neville, who had announced that he was due to be in attendance for the clash with Chelsea.
The Premier League have been made aware of Forest's feelings, and the Mail report adds that it is within the power of all clubs to decide who they permit into their stadiums for matches.
Neville criticised Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis for coming onto the pitch and exchanging words with manager Nuno Espirito Santo following the recent 2-2 draw with Leicester City, during which Forest forward Taiwo Awoniyi sustained a serious abdominal injury that required surgery.
Neville posted on X: "Scandalous from that Forest owner. 'Nuno should go and negotiate his exit tonight with him! The Forest fans, players and manager do not deserve that."
Forest hit back with a strongly worded statement claiming that Marinakis was simply concerned for Awoniyi's feelings, and hit out at the 'fake news' from those who suggested the owner was angry with Nuno for the concession of Facundo Buonanotte's late goal which cost them two points.
The club said: "We urge former coaches and players, and other public figures in the game, to resist the urge to rush to judgement and fake news online, especially when they do not have the full facts and context - least of all the injured player.
"Baseless and ill-informed outrage for the purposes of personal social media traction serves no one — least of all the injured player."
Neville responded to the statement on his podcast this week, saying "Sorry Mr Mainakis" in a sarcastic tone.
Forest received an apology from Neville for language he used when discussing the statement the club issued after last season's 2-0 defeat to Everton. The club were furious about refereeing decisions in the match, with Neville likening them to 'a mafia gang'.
Re: Premier League club ban Gary Neville from their stadium
Fri May 23, 2025 5:48 pm
This is really petty from Forest in my opinion.
It is literally Neville's job to give his opinions
Banning him because he said a few negative and sarcastic things is not a good look for Forest.
It is literally Neville's job to give his opinions
Banning him because he said a few negative and sarcastic things is not a good look for Forest.
Re: Premier League club ban Gary Neville from their stadium
Fri May 23, 2025 6:05 pm
Sky have described it as an “unprecedented and unwelcome step” and it is a move against a broadcaster which pays millions for TV rights and is also in direct contrast to freedom of speech.
Neville, who is TV’s most recognisable and arguably best pundit, has chosen not to be part of the coverage which is a decision fully supported by Sky.
Sky will continue to have a full commentary team at the game but it will not feature Neville and the presentation will be done remotely whereas normally they have a live studio within stadiums.
Neville, who is TV’s most recognisable and arguably best pundit, has chosen not to be part of the coverage which is a decision fully supported by Sky.
Sky will continue to have a full commentary team at the game but it will not feature Neville and the presentation will be done remotely whereas normally they have a live studio within stadiums.