Picture Credit: X
Nottingham Forest are set to take on Chelsea in the all-important final Premier League game of the season at City Ground, which is their home stadium, with huge UEFA Champions League (UCL) implications on Sunday, May 25. The gap between two of the clubs is just one point on the Premier League standings, and a victory for Nottingham Forest over Chelsea could give them the best chance to make the UCL next season.
With such a big match in prospect, host broadcaster Sky Sports had picked Gary Neville, the Manchester United, to provide punditry services, but Nottingham Forest have banned him from entering the City Ground. Neville took to his official Instagram account to inform everyone that the broadcaster told him about Forest’s decision to not give him accreditation or access to the stadium as a co-commentator.
“I've had no choice but to withdraw from the coverage,” said Gary Neville on his social media post before sharing his disappointment on the decision from the club to dismiss him from their home stadium. He also remarked, “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.”
Gary Neville had criticised Nottingham Forest owner for heated discussion with manager on field earlier this month
It was earlier this month when Gary Neville tore into Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis on his official X account for making his way to the field before having a heated discussion with manager Nuno Espirito Santo after they were held to a 2-2 draw by Leicester City. He wrote, “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.”
Nottingham Forest had explained the situation later on, stating that Marinakis was frustrated with the decision to continue playing Taiwo Awoniyi after he suffered an injury, for which he underwent emergency surgery.
