Gary Neville is not welcome at Nottingham Forest this weekend. The analyst has been banned by the Tricky Trees because they suspect him of holding a grudge against the club. "It's symptomatic of what has happened at the club over the past twelve months."
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Gary Neville will not be welcome at the City Ground this weekend, as Nottingham Forest have officially banned the Sky Sports analyst from attending their final match of the Premier League season.
The decision has sparked widespread debate and criticism, with many seeing it as a reflection of deeper issues within the club’s leadership. Forest reportedly suspect that Neville holds a grudge against them and acted preemptively to prevent what they feared could be a hostile environment if the former Manchester United defender appeared on the broadcast.
The incident revolves around Nottingham Forest’s crucial home clash against Chelsea, scheduled for Sunday, May 25 at 17:00. The match is not only important in terms of media attention but could also be decisive in determining whether Forest qualify for European competition next season, including the UEFA Champions League.
Sky Sports had initially named Gary Neville as one of the key pundits to provide analysis for the high-stakes encounter. However, Forest, upon discovering Neville’s inclusion, submitted a formal complaint to the broadcaster. The club reportedly expressed concerns about his past criticism of their ownership and management, which they believe could influence public perception negatively. In response, Sky Sports decided to alter their pundit lineup to avoid further conflict.
The trigger for Forest’s drastic move appears to be Neville’s recent remarks about the club's majority owner, Evangelos Marinakis. After a recent 2-2 draw against Leicester City, Marinakis entered the pitch and publicly confronted manager Nuno Espírito Santo, a move widely condemned across the football world. Neville was one of the most vocal critics of the incident, calling it “disgraceful” and “embarrassing,” while also suggesting that Espírito Santo should consider leaving the club if such interference continued.
This criticism appears to have been the final straw for Forest, who view Neville as someone with a long-standing negative bias. English media outlets report that club officials were also concerned about the potential backlash from fans in the stadium, fearing that Neville might be met with boos or other signs of disapproval if he was seen on site. While such crowd reactions are not uncommon in football, the club seemed determined to avoid adding any further distractions during a pivotal match.
In a measured but pointed response on Instagram, Neville expressed his disappointment with Forest’s decision. “I’ve been a critical pundit for fourteen years and never has something like this happened to me,” he said. “Personally, I find it deeply disappointing that a club with the history and stature of Nottingham Forest would act this way. Of course, they have the right to determine who enters their stadium, but this is just another example of the mismanagement that has plagued them over the past year.”
Despite the controversy, Neville ended his message with a respectful tone, wishing the club success in their final game. “I hold no grudges. I just hope the players and fans can enjoy a good game of football and that the club finds stability going forward.”
Nottingham Forest currently sit seventh in the Premier League with 65 points. With only one match to go, they still have a chance to finish in the top five and secure a historic qualification for the Champions League. It’s a remarkable position for a team that has spent much of the season battling inconsistency and internal turmoil.
Their hopes hinge on the results of several other teams. Newcastle United, Chelsea, and Aston Villa all sit just one point ahead on 66. If Forest beat Chelsea and at least two of those teams drop points, Nuno Espírito Santo's side could leapfrog them and clinch a top-five finish. For a club that returned to the Premier League only recently, such an achievement would mark a dramatic and unexpected turnaround.
However, the shadow cast by this latest controversy suggests that all is not well behind the scenes. The clash between ownership and coaching staff, the public relations missteps, and now the banning of a major TV personality have all drawn unwanted attention at a time when the focus should be squarely on the pitch.
With the eyes of the football world fixed on the final day of the season, Nottingham Forest will not only be fighting for European football but also for some much-needed stability and respect in the court of public opinion.
Updated: 11:04, 24 May 2025
