Gary Neville was banned by Nottingham Forest for their former Premier League game of the season against Chelsea at the City Ground because of comments he made on social media about the club's owner
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Sport
15:57, 25 May 2025
NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND - MAY 25: Fans of Nottingham Forest, holding posters which read "Forest Where's Gary" and wearing face masks of former footballer and Sky Sports presenter Gary Neville, pose for a photo on the outside of the stadium prior to the Premier League match between Nottingham Forest FC and Chelsea FC at City Ground on May 25, 2025 in Nottingham, England. (Photo by Eddie Keogh/Getty Images)
NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND - MAY 25: Fans of Nottingham Forest, holding posters which read "Forest Where's Gary" and wearing face masks of former footballer and Sky Sports presenter Gary Neville, pose for a photo on the outside of the stadium prior to the Premier League match between Nottingham Forest FC and Chelsea FC at City Ground on May 25, 2025 in Nottingham, England. (Photo by Eddie Keogh/Getty Images)
Nottingham Forest fans made their feelings towards Gary Neville known in the run-up to kick off in their crunch Premier League clash with Chelsea with much of the City Ground chanting that the Sky Sports pundit is a "w*****" while the players were getting ready in the tunnel.
The Manchester United legend was told his accreditation to cover the game as a co-commentator had been denied following his outspoken comments on Evangelos Marinakis after the Forest owner stormed onto the pitch to confront head coach Nuno Espirito Santo after their draw with Leicester.
Neville 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.”
Before the game - which could turn into a shootout for a Champions League place - fans were seen wearing face masks of Neville outside the City Ground and thousands joined in with the chant moments before the 4pm kick off.
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Sky described Neville being banned as an “unprecedented and unwelcome step” after being informed that he was not welcome with the broadcaster taking the decision to instead broadcast from a studio in West London instead of at the ground.
Neville chose not to be part of the broadcast and said in a statement after being informed of the decision: "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.
Fans of Nottingham Forest wearing face masks of former footballer and Sky Sports presenter Gary Neville.
Fans of Nottingham Forest wearing face masks of former footballer and Sky Sports presenter Gary Neville.
"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."
Marinakis claimed he went onto the pitch out of concern for Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi - who suffered a serious injury and was put into an induced coma - rather than confront Nuno. Awoniyi, who is on the mend, was paraded in front of Forest fans before the game.
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