Gary Neville won’t be anywhere near the City Ground for the final game of the Premier League season on Sunday.
That’s because Nottingham Forest have banned the Sky Sports pundit from their home ground, talkSPORT understands.
Neville has since hit out at the ‘disappointing’ call from Forest on Instagram and labelled the ban an ‘unprecedented action’.
“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,” Neville wrote.
“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.”
A commentary team for Sky will still be at the City Ground for the crunch clash, set to kick off at 4pm.
However, Sky will present the match from their studios in west London rather than from Forest’s home ground, as had been intended.
The ban for Neville comes weeks after he labelled Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis ‘scandalous’ after he stormed on the pitch to confront manager Nuno Esperito Santo following the 2-2 draw against Leicester City.
AFPMarinakis’ post-match act drew the ire of Neville[/caption]
“Scandalous that from Forest owner,” Neville wrote on X.
“Nuno should go and negotiate his exit tonight with him!
“The Forest fans, players and manager do not deserve that.”
However, Forest soon released a strongly-worded statement which claimed Marinakis’ frustration was not due to the result and stemmed from his anger at the club’s medical staff failing to recognise the severity of Taiwo Awoniyi’s injury.
More to follow…
