Nottingham Forest have dealt an extraordinary blow to Gary Neville by placing a ban on the former Manchester United man, preventing him from covering their pivotal season finale against Chelsea.
The Reds have formally requested that Sky Sports alter their commentary lineup for the decisive match, citing Neville's apparent vendetta and disproportionate criticism despite Forest's noticeable advancements on the playing field.
Forest enter the final weekend of Premier League action with the unlikely dream of attaining Champions League qualification, having kept up with the Premier League elites in a campaign that defied expectations.
According to the Daily Mail, Forest has expressed their discontent to Sky Sports via a written complaint targeting Neville, who had disclosed plans to commentate on the forthcoming bout with Chelsea.
The Premier League is reportedly aware of Forest’s stance, with the Daily Mail noting that clubs hold the prerogative to control stadium admissions for fixtures.
Neville hit out at Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis for his post-match exchange with boss Nuno Espirito Santo following a 2-2 stalemate against Leicester City two weeks ago, a game also marked by a grave injury to Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi requiring surgical intervention.
Taking to social media, Neville posted: "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 issued a robust statement asserting that Marinakis was merely expressing concern for Awoniyi's welfare, and slammed the 'fake news' circulating about Marinakis being angry with manager Nuno Espirito Santo over Facundo Buonanotte's late equaliser that cost them two points.
The club stated: "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."
They continued: "Baseless and ill-informed outrage for the purposes of personal social media traction serves no one - least of all the injured player."
Neville has addressed the club's comments on his podcast, offering a tongue-in-cheek "Sorry Mr Marinakis".
Forest previously received an apology from Neville regarding his choice of words while discussing the club's statement following their 2-0 loss to Everton last season. The club had expressed strong discontent with refereeing decisions during the match, prompting Neville to compare them to 'a mafia gang'.
Taking to social media, Neville has responded to the ban from Forest. "I was contacted by Sky Sports earlier on in the week and told that I would be commentating at the City Ground on Sunday for the Nottingham Forest v Chelsea match," he wrote on LinkedIn.
"I was informed yesterday by Sky Sports that Nottingham Forest would not give me an accreditation or access to the stadium as a co-commentator. I’ve had no choice but to withdraw from the coverage.
"I’ve dished out my fair share of criticism and praise in the last 14 years of doing this job and have never come close to this unprecedented action.
"Personally, I think it’s disappointing that a great club like Nottingham Forest have been reduced to making such a decision. Whilst they have every right to choose who they let into their own stadium, it’s symptomatic of things that have happened over the last 12 months with the club.
"I wish the coaching staff, players and fans of the club all the best in their quest to achieve Champions League football."
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