Gary Neville was scheduled to attend Nottingham Forest’s match versus Chelsea as a member of Sky Sports’ punditry team.
Gary Neville has been denied access to Nottingham Forest’s farewell game against Chelsea at the City Ground on Sunday.
The former Manchester United defender and Sky Sports pundit chastised Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis for confronting manager Nuno Espirito Santo on the pitch following the recent 2-2 draw with Leicester City.
Neville wrote on his X account at the time, “Scandalous from that Forest owner.” Nuno should go negotiate his exit with him tonight! “The Forest fans, players, and manager do not deserve it.”
Forest later issued a lengthy statement saying that Marinakis’ concern for the wounded Taiwo Awoniyi motivated him to enter the pitch. Awoniyi had a significant stomach injury and was placed in an induced coma after surgery. The 27-year-old striker is still rehabilitating.
Neville was scheduled to join Sky Sports’ team for the final day shootout between Forest and Chelsea in the race for the top five and Champions League football, but the 50-year-old has been denied access to the City Ground.
In an Instagram statement on Friday evening, Neville said: “I was approached by Sky Sports earlier this week and told that I will be commentating at the City Ground on Sunday for the Nottingham Forest – Chelsea match.
“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.
