- Neville criticised owner Marinakis
- Barred from City Ground
- Forest want assurances before lifting ban
The ex-Manchester United captain saw his access to Forest’s City Ground revokedat the end of last season after he criticised club owner Evangelos Marinakis on air. The issue is still believed to be unresolved, and the Tricky Trees are seeking assurances that Neville will be more careful when referencing Marinakis in the future.
Neville accused Forest of behaving like a “mafia gang” after releasing a statement attacking referee Stuarrt Attwell, and then ripped into them after Marinakis and head coach Nuno Espirito Santo clashed on the pitch in April 2024. He was therefore denied accreditation to the Midlands stadium, and released a statement on social media, saying: “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.”
Forest are believed to be willing to move past the row with Neville, providing he makes a handful of promises to them ahead of the new season. Reports suggest talks between the two will be needed, despite Sky believing the issue was a one-off incident.
Forest’s Premier League opener against Brentford will be broadcast live on Sunday, but Neville will instead be covering Manchester United vs Arsenal at Old Trafford.
