Stadium Ban Lifted for Gary Neville by Premier League, Allowing His Return to Stadium
Nottingham Forest and Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville's relationship remains strained, with the football club maintaining an informal ban on the former Manchester United defender.
The tension between the two parties began in May 2024, when Neville criticized Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis during a live broadcast on Sky Sports. His comments, which he described as "scandalous" and "an absolute joke", were made in the heat of the moment following Forest's 2-2 draw with Leicester City. The altercation between Marinakis and manager Nuno Espirito Santo was also captured on camera, adding fuel to the fire.
As a result, Forest took an unprecedented stance against Neville for their final day Champions League qualification decider with Chelsea, denying him accreditation for the game. The club later accused Neville of spreading "fake news" and "baseless and ill-informed outrage", and the issue caused a significant stir in the media.
However, it appears that the two sides have now put the episode behind them. Sky and Forest had communications in the aftermath to clear the air ahead of the new campaign, and senior figures from both parties do not anticipate any further problems. The hope is that the entire saga has been put to bed.
But despite this, Neville is not yet officially welcomed back to the City Ground. Forest have maintained that they will not allow his return until he provides assurances about the language he uses when discussing the club and its owner. The club's stance is a clear indication that they are still not happy with Neville's comments, and they are demanding clear commitments from him before lifting the effective ban.
With at least nine games involving Forest set to be moved to Sunday due to European commitments in the new campaign, Neville's absence may be felt by Sky Sports viewers. However, it is expected that he will return to Nottingham Forest this season, and fans will be eagerly awaiting his return to the airwaves.
[1] - Source: BBC Sport, "Nottingham Forest ban Gary Neville over 'mafia' comments" [2] - Source: Sky Sports, "Gary Neville on Nottingham Forest ban: 'I'm not going to apologise'" [3] - Source: The Guardian, "Nottingham Forest deny Gary Neville accreditation for final game"
In the aftermath of Gary Neville's inflammatory comments about Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis during a live broadcast, the club has imposed an informal ban on the former Manchester United defender. Despite Sky Sports and Forest having communications to clear the air, Neville is yet to be officially welcomed back as the club demands assurances about his future discussions regarding the club and its owner.
