Gary Neville has been denied accreditation for Nottingham Forest’s finale against Chelsea at the City Ground on Sunday.
The former Manchester United defender turned Sky Sports pundit was critical of Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis for entering the field after the recent 2-2 draw with Leicester City to confront manager Nuno Espirito Santo.
Posting on his X account at the time, Neville said: “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 later issued a lengthy statement claiming that Marinakis’ concern for the injured Taiwo Awoniyi prompted him to enter the field. Awoniyi sustained a serious abdominal injury and was placed in an induced coma following surgery. The 27-year-old striker is now recovering.
Neville was due to be part of Sky Sports’ team for the final day shoot-out between Forest and Chelsea in the battle for the top five and Champions League football, but the 50-year-old has been denied entry to the City Ground.
In a statement on his Instagram account on Friday evening, Neville said: “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.
“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.”
Co-pundit Jamie Carragher saw the funny side and replied to Neville’s post with a series of laughing emojis, whereas former United teammate David Beckham aimed a jibe at Forest in response.
Beckham, now owner of MLS franchise Inter Miami, said: “Must of (sic) been something to do with that 7-1 game back in the day.”
Beckham is referring to a victory for United at the City Ground back in February 1999 which actually ended 8-1.
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