Nottingham Forest ban Gary Neville from final game as Sky Sports forced to change plans
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Nottingham Forest ban Gary Neville from final game as Sky Sports forced to revamp plans
Nottingham Forest have banned Gary Neville from the City Ground. Sky Sports have been forced to change their plans for coverage. Neville had been due to provide commentary on the final day of the season. The 50-year-old has decided to no longer work on the game. Sky will now present the game from their studios in west London. There will still be a commentary team at the ground. Forest sit seventh in the Premier League table needing to beat Chelsea to have a chance of securing a top-five finish. Sky apologised to Forest last year over language used by Neville following their match at Everton. Neville likened their actions to that of a ‘mafia gang’ after a social media statement questioning the appointment of Stuart Attwell as the video assistant referee.
Sky Sports have been forced to change their plans for coverage on the final day of the Premier League after Nottingham Forest took the extraordinary step of banning Gary Neville from the City Ground.
Neville, Sky’s lead co-commentator, had been due to provide commentary on the crucial clash between the hosts and Chelsea with both sides looking to book their place in next season’s Champions League.
But the broadcaster were subsequently informed that the former Manchester United and England full-back had been denied accreditation for the fixture and would therefore not be welcome to attend.
It is understood that Sky have decided to revise their plans and will now present the game from their studios in west London, though Neville will not be part of their coverage.
The 50-year-old has decided to no longer work on the game, a decision supported by his employers. There will still be a commentary team at the ground.
Neville confirmed his decision in a statement: “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.
“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. I wish the coaching staff, players and fans of the club all the best in their quest to achieve Champions League football.”
Neville had been critical of Forest and Evangelos Marinakis recently after the club’s owner stormed the pitch to confront manager Nuno Espirito Santo after a 2-2 draw with Leicester.
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Forest subsequently suggested that Marinakis had been seeking clarity over the situation that saw Taiwo Awoniyi end up in hospital following a collision with a post.
“Scandalous from that Forest owner,” Neville posted on X, formerly Twitter. “Nuno should go and negotiate his exit tonight with him! The Forest fans, players and manager do not deserve that.”
Last year, Sky apologised to Forest over language used by Neville following their match at Everton. Neville had likened their actions to that of a “mafia gang” after a social media statement questioning the appointment of Stuart Attwell as the video assistant referee.
Forest sit seventh in the Premier League table entering the final day needing to beat Chelsea to have a chance of securing a top-five finish.
Gary Neville: Sky pundit denied access to City Ground for Nottingham Forest season finale against Chelsea
Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville has been refused entry to the City Ground by Nottingham Forest for their final Premier League game of the season. Neville was scheduled to be part of Sky’s commentary team as both sides bid to secure Champions League football next season. The former Manchester United defender has been highly critical of Forest and owner Evangelos Marinakis this season. He described Marinakis walking onto the pitch and exchanging words with head coach Nuno Espirito Santo after the recent draw with Leicester as “scandalous”
Neville was scheduled to be part of Sky’s commentary team as both sides bid to secure Champions League football next season, but Forest have declined to grant him media accreditation.
Former Manchester United defender Neville said on Instagram: “I was contacted by Sky Sports earlier on in the week and told that I would be commentating at the City Ground on Sunday for the Nottingham Forest v 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.
“Personally, I think it’s disappointing that a great club like Nottingham Forest have been reduced to making such a decision. While 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.
“I wish the coaching staff, players and fans of the club all the best in their quest to achieve Champions League football.”
Neville has been highly critical of Forest and owner Evangelos Marinakis this season.
He described Marinakis walking onto the pitch and exchanging words with head coach Nuno Espirito Santo after the recent draw with Leicester as “scandalous”.
Neville urged Nuno to quit the club and a social media post of his further enraged Marinakis, who had threatened Sky with legal action over comments made by the pundit earlier in the season.
After Forest’s 2-0 defeat at Everton last year, the club issued a statement on social media questioning the integrity of video assistant referee Stuart Atwell after claiming they had been denied three penalties.
Neville’s response to that, comparing Forest’s actions to those of a “mafia gang”, prompted an apology from Sky after they had been contacted by Marinakis’ lawyers.
The east Midlands club declined to comment when approached by the PA news agency.
Nottingham Forest BAN Gary Neville from City Ground and make Sky Sports demand
Nottingham Forest have asked Sky Sports to change their commentary team. Gary Neville was due to be in attendance for the clash with Chelsea. Neville criticised Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis for coming onto the pitch and exchanging words with manager Nuno Espirito Santo following the recent 2-2 draw with Leicester City. Forest hit back with a strongly worded statement claiming that Marinakis was simply concerned for Taiwo Awoniyi’s feelings. The Premier League have been made aware of Forest’s feelings, and the Mail report adds that it is within the power of all clubs to decide who they permit into their stadiums for matches.
The Midlanders have asked Sky Sports to change their commentary team for the clash after they felt Neville has developed a grudge against the club and been overly critical of them this season despite their clear progress on the pitch.
Forest go into the Premier League’s final weekend with a chance of earning Champions League football next season, with the club surprising virtually everyone by keeping pace with the big boys throughout the campaign.
Forest have written to Sky Sports to register a formal complaint about Neville, who had announced that he was due to be in attendance for the clash with Chelsea.
The Premier League have been made aware of Forest’s feelings, and the Mail report adds that it is within the power of all clubs to decide who they permit into their stadiums for matches.
Neville criticised Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis for coming onto the pitch and exchanging words with manager Nuno Espirito Santo following the recent 2-2 draw with Leicester City, during which Forest forward Taiwo Awoniyi sustained a serious abdominal injury that required surgery.
Neville posted on X: “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.”
Image: AFP via Getty Images) AFP via Getty Images)
Forest hit back with a strongly worded statement claiming that Marinakis was simply concerned for Awoniyi’s feelings, and hit out at the ‘fake news’ from those who suggested the owner was angry with Nuno for the concession of Facundo Buonanotte’s late goal which cost them two points.
The club said: “We urge former coaches and players, and other public figures in the game, to resist the urge to rush to judgement and fake news online, especially when they do not have the full facts and context – least of all the injured player.
“Baseless and ill-informed outrage for the purposes of personal social media traction serves no one — least of all the injured player.”
Image: CameraSport via Getty Images) CameraSport via Getty Images)
Neville responded to the statement on his podcast this week, saying “Sorry Mr Mainakis” in a sarcastic tone.
Forest received an apology from Neville for language he used when discussing the statement the club issued after last season’s 2-0 defeat to Everton. The club were furious about refereeing decisions in the match, with Neville likening them to ‘a mafia gang’.
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Gary Neville responds to Nottingham Forest ban as Jamie Carragher makes feelings clear
Gary Neville was due to commentate for Sky Sports on Forest’s clash with Chelsea at the City Ground on Sunday. Forest informed Sky that Neville was not welcome after he slammed Marinakis for storming onto the pitch and remonstrating with manager Nuno Espirito Santo after their 2-2 draw with Leicester earlier this month. Sky have decided to cover the game from their London studios instead. Jamie Carragher weighed in on the row in the comments, responding to Neville’s post with a series of laughing emojis. Neville: “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”
Gary Neville has released a statement criticising Nottingham Forest after the club banned him from entering the City Ground to commentate on their upcoming game against Chelsea for Sky Sports
Gary Neville has been banned by Nottingham Forest (Image: PA )
Gary Neville has spoken out after it emerged that he has been banned by Nottingham Forest after he criticised the club’s owner Evangelos Marinakis. Neville was due to commentate for Sky Sports on Forest’s clash with Chelsea at the City Ground on Sunday.
However, Forest informed Sky that Neville was not welcome after he slammed Marinakis for storming onto the pitch and remonstrating with manager Nuno Espirito Santo after their 2-2 draw with Leicester earlier this month.
Neville described Marinakis’ actions as “absolutely scandalous” on Sky and then claimed on social media that Espirito Santo should “go and negotiate his exit tonight”. 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.”
Forest later released a statement defending the Greek businessman and explaining that the source of Marinakis’ “frustration” was the horrific injury suffered by Taiwo Awoniyi after he collided with a goalpost.
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Sky Sports back Gary Neville in remarkable Nottingham Forest row as broadcast change made READ MORE:
In response to Forest’s decision to ban Neville, Sky have decided to cover the game from their London studios instead of the City Ground. However, the former Manchester United captain will not be part of Sky’s broadcast.
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In a post on Instagram, Neville wrote: “I was contacted by Sky Sports earlier on in the week and told that I would be commentating at the City Ground on Sunday for the Nottingham Forest v 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.
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“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. 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. I wish the coaching staff, players and fans of the club all the best in their quest to achieve Champions League football.”
Fellow Sky pundit Jamie Carragher weighed in on the row in the comments, responding to Neville’s post with a series of laughing emojis.
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Sky Sports back Gary Neville in remarkable Nottingham Forest row as broadcast change made
Sky Sports back Gary Neville in remarkable Nottingham Forest row as broadcast change made. Nottingham Forest have banned Gary Neville from their final game of the season at home to Chelsea, and Sky Sports have responded by backing their pundit. It follows Neville’s outspoken attack on Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis after the Greek businessman stormed onto the pitch to confront manager Nuno Espirito Santo. Sky have described it as an ‘unprecedented and unwelcome step’ and it is a move against a broadcaster which pays millions for TV rights and is also in direct contrast to freedom of speech. Sky will continue to have a full commentary team at the game but it will not feature Neville and the presentation will be done remotely whereas normally they have a live studio within stadiums.
Nottingham Forest have banned Gary Neville from their final game of the season at home to Chelsea, and Sky Sports have responded by backing their pundit
Gary Neville has been told he isn’t welcome at Nottingham Forest (Image: PA )
Gary Neville has been banned by Nottingham Forest, with Sky Sports deciding to pull their presenting team from the City Ground as a result.
Sky pundit Neville was told his accreditation to cover Sunday’s game as a co-commentator had been denied.
It follows Neville’s outspoken attack on Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis after the Greek businessman stormed onto the pitch to confront manager Nuno Espirito Santo after their draw with Leicester earlier this month.
Neville described it as “absolutely scandalous” and later posted on social media: “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.”
That has led to an escalation of the row between the pair but Forest have now banned Manchester United legend Neville from the City Ground.
Nottingham Forest BAN Gary Neville from City Ground and make Sky Sports demand READ MORE:
Sky have described it as an “unprecedented and unwelcome step” and it is a move against a broadcaster which pays millions for TV rights and is also in direct contrast to freedom of speech.
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Sky opted to show the final day showdown between Forest and Chelsea as their main game on Sunday as it has become a shoot-out for Champions League football.
It was then that Forest informed them that Neville was not welcome and Sky have now backed their man to the hilt by deciding to broadcast from Sky’s studios in West London.
Gary Neville has been banned by Nottingham Forest (Image: Getty Images )
Neville, who is TV’s most recognisable and arguably best pundit, has chosen not to be part of the coverage which is a decision fully supported by Sky.
Sky will continue to have a full commentary team at the game but it will not feature Neville and the presentation will be done remotely whereas normally they have a live studio within stadiums.
Marinakis claimed he went onto the pitch out of concern for Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi – who suffered a serious injury and was put into an induced coma – rather than confront Nuno.
Sky Sports now won’t have a presenting team at the City Ground (Image: CameraSport via Getty Images )
Earlier this week, it was reported that Neville was named in a £2.1m libel case brought by Marinakis against Irini Karipidis and Ari Harow.
Karipidis is the owner of Greek club Aris, who are rivals to Olympiacos, also owned by Marinakis, while Harow is a former chief of staff to Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
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Source: https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/gary-neville-nottingham-forest-sky-sports-premier-league-b2756900.html