The former man Utd star has been critical of Forest and owner Evangelos Marinakis who has named Neville in a recent lawsuit
18:24, 23 May 2025
Gary Neville
Gary Neville has been banned from the City Ground by Nottingham Forest.
The Sky Sports pundit won't be welcome for Sunday's final day Premier League showdown at home to Chelsea, with Champions League qualification on the line for both sides as just three points separate third to seventh in the table.
Forst have demanded that Sky take Neville off commentary duties for the game, warning the broadcaster that the pundit is likely to be met with a hostile reception from home fans if he
The Daily Mail reportsthat the East Midlands club feel the former Man Utd star holds a "grudge" against them following what they feel is overly harsh criticism on air and on social media on more than one occasion this season and have lodged a formal complaint.
However, Sky have described Forest's stance as "unprecedented and unwelcome" and have responded to the demand by shifting the entire match production from the stadium to their London HQ.
Neville most's recent criticism of Forest came after hotheaded owner Evangelos Marinakis came onto the pitch to confront manager Nuno Espirito Santo folloowing a 2-2 home draw with Leciester.
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Initially, it was thought that the Greek club chief was simply angry at dropping points at home. However, his Portuguese boss explained that there was frustration over a mix up with club medical staff follwing an injury to Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi.
Neville urged Santo to quit the club after the game, saying: “I feel compelled to mention that I think what the Forest owner has just done on the pitch over at the City Ground is absolutely scandalous.
Nuno Espirito Santo and Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis
Nuno Espirito Santo and Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis
“If I was Nuno, I'd be going and having a very strong word with him, because that is an absolute scandal. He's just qualified them for a European competition, and from where that club's been, and to be remonstrated with on that pitch in front of the club's fans is an absolute joke.”
The former Manchester United defender also posted on social media: “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.”
However, Forest hit back and Neville has since been named in a £2million lawsuit filed by Marinakis. A club statement read: "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.
"We call on these influential voices to show the same respect for player welfare that they often demand from others. Let concern come before commentary.
"At Nottingham Forest, we believe the mental and physical well-being of our players and coaching staff must always take precedence — over media narratives, inflammatory judgements, and certainly over self-promotion."
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