Gary Neville will not be part of Sky Sports’ coverage of Nottingham Forest’s final Premier League match of the season against Chelsea after the club denied him access to the City Ground.
The former England defender said he was informed he would not be granted accreditation for Sunday’s game, a decision he described as “unprecedented” in his broadcasting career.
The issue stems from comments Neville made earlier this month after Forest’s dramatic 2-2 draw against Leicester City. Following a late equaliser, Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis entered the pitch and was seen speaking intensely with manager Nuno Espirito Santo. Neville posted on social media that Marinakis’ behaviour was “scandalous,” adding that Nuno should “negotiate his exit tonight.” The remark sparked controversy, especially among Forest supporters.
Forest later responded, denying there was any confrontation between Marinakis and the coach. They said the pitch-side exchange was driven by frustration over striker Taiwo Awoniyi remaining on the pitch despite an injury late in the game. That injury later required emergency surgery. The club dismissed the backlash to the incident as “fake news.”
Despite the club’s statement, the fallout appears to have reached new heights. Neville said on Instagram that he was told by Sky Sports that Forest would not allow him into the stadium in his usual role as co-commentator. He expressed disappointment over the move, saying that while the club has the right to choose who enters its ground, he’s never experienced such a ban in his 14 years as a pundit.
Neville suggested the decision reflected a deeper issue, pointing to a wider pattern of behaviour at the club over the past year. Though he didn’t elaborate further, his message hinted at concerns over how criticism is handled internally at Forest.
The Premier League, when asked for comment, said that match accreditation falls under the authority of the host club.
Nottingham Forest have not publicly addressed Neville’s claims, and it remains unclear if further comment will follow. BBC Sport has reached out to the club for clarification.
Sunday’s match carries high stakes for Forest, who are still in the hunt for a Champions League spot depending on other results. Neville said he wishes the team and its supporters well, despite the disagreement, calling Forest “a great club” and expressing hope for a strong finish to their season.
The situation has drawn attention to the sometimes fragile relationship between football clubs and the media, especially when criticism hits a nerve. For Neville, it marks a rare moment of exclusion in a high-profile role. For Forest, it signals a firm stance on controlling the narrative at a critical time in their campaign.