Forest banned Neville from commentating on the final day of the season
The club believes Sky Sports' lead pundit bears a brudge against them
LISTEN NOW: It's All Kicking Off!, available wherever you get your podcasts. New episodes every Monday and Thursday
By DANIEL DAVIS
Published: 12:47 EDT, 24 May 2025 | Updated: 12:47 EDT, 24 May 2025
David Beckham has waded into the row around Gary Neville's shock Nottingham Forest stadium ban and taken a cheeky dig at the club.
As exclusively revealed by Mail Sport yesterday, Forest told Sky Sports that their lead pundit Neville has been banned from the City Ground for their final Premier League fixture of the season against Chelsea on Sunday afternoon.
The Champions League chasers also requested that the broadcaster changes its commentary team while Sky said Forest's action was 'unwelcome'.
Forest's drastic move came after Neville made heavily critical points on social media, fuelling a belief within the club that he holds a grudge against them.
Sky have decided to revise their production plans and will now present coverage from their headquarters in west London. It is understood that Neville himself ultimately chose not to be part of the show, with the broadcaster's full backing.
Neville, 50, broke his silence by expressing his 'disappointment' with Forest's ban and his close friend Beckham could not resist having his say.
David Beckham has waded into Gary Neville's Nottingham Forest stadium ban row
Neville has been told he has been barred from the City Ground for Forest's season finale
The Champions League chasers believe Sky Sports' lead pundit holds a grudge against them
Replying to Neville's Instagram post on the situation, Beckham wrote: 'Must of [sic] been something to do with that 7-1 game back in the day.'
His comment is likely to have referred to United's brutal victory over Forest at the City Ground during their Treble-winning campaign in February 1999.
However, Beckham appeared to have miscounted - with United actually winning 8-1.
Jamie Carragher also weighed in and posted a series of laughing emojis in response.
Neville had criticised Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis after the Greek businessman walked onto the pitch to speak to Nuno Espirito Santo after the draw with Leicester.
The pundit said Marinakis' behaviour was 'scandalous' and urged Nuno to resign with immediate effect despite leading the club back into Europe.
It later became apparent Marinakis had voiced concern over the medical staff's handling of Taiwo Awoniyi's injury and that he had not remonstrated with boss Nuno.
Writing in a social media statement, Neville added:'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.
Beckham couldn't resist wading into the debate and taking a cheeky dig at Forest
Neville was critical of Evangelos Marinakis after his on-pitch chat with Nuno Espirito Santo
Manchester United legend Neville voiced his disappointment with the ban on social media
'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.'