Gary Neville was banned from working at the City Ground to cover Nottingham Forest vs Chelsea for Sky Sports – and the club’s fans made their feelings clear early on in the match
Nottingham Forest fans made their feelings clear on Gary Neville – but Sky Sports were quick to turn the pitchside microphones down to minimise the reaction. Neville has become public enemy number one at the City Ground after becoming embroiled in an argument with the club.
The Sky Sports co-commentator was banned from attending the final Premier League game of the season against Chelsea on Sunday after criticising Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis. Neville was critical after Marinakis came onto the pitch to speak with Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo in the aftermath of their damaging 2-2 draw against Leicester earlier this month.
He 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.”
Forest wrote to Sky Sports to register a formal complaint against the ex-Manchester United defender and refused to allow him entry, forcing the broadcaster to replace him on commentary duties with Alan Smith.
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While he wasn’t there for the 4pm kick-off, Neville was still centre stage in the opening minutes as Forest supporters started up a chant. Sky knew what to expect, though, and reacted swiftly to ensure it didn’t reach their viewers at home.
“Sky sports muting the crowd microphones as soon as ‘Gary Neville is a w*****’ chants start,” one fan posted on X. “Sky muting the Gary Neville chant…Cant take the criticism,” another added. A third wrote: “Sky drowning the crowd volume as Forest fans chant about Gary Neville.”
Another chant of “Marinakis, he bans who he wants” went around later in the match, while some wore masks of Neville’s face to rub salt in the wound further.
Forest have been left furious by Neville’s criticism, pointing out that Marinakis’ response in taking to the pitch was out of concern for striker Taiwo Awoniyi, who was seriously injured in a collision with the post.
They released a statement which read: “His deep frustration at seeing our player lying on the ground in severe pain – something no one with genuine care could ignore – triggered him to go onto the pitch. It was instinctive, human, and a reflection of just how much this team and its people mean to him. He would do the same again if such an unfortunate event were ever to reoccur.
“The truth of the matter is there was no confrontation, with Nuno or with others, either on the pitch or inside the stadium. There was only shared frustration between all of us that the medical team should never have allowed the player to continue.
“In light of this, 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. Baseless and ill-informed outrage for the purposes of personal social media traction serves no one – least of all the injured player. We call on these influential voices to show the same respect for player welfare that they often demand from others. Let concern come before commentary.
“At Nottingham Forest, we believe the mental and physical well-being of our players and coaching staff must always take precedence – over media narratives, inflammatory judgements, and certainly over self-promotion. In moments like these, the game must unite around those who put their bodies and minds on the line every week. That’s what real leadership looks like in our game.”
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Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package
Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle ahead of the 2025/26 season, saving members £192 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.
Sky will show at least 215 live Premier League games next season, an increase of up to 100 more.
