Nottingham Forest have yet to resolve their dispute with Gary Neville before the new Premier League season, with the club seeking assurances from the Sky Sports pundit before welcoming him back to the City Ground. The former Manchester United captain was banned from the final game of last season after owner Evangelos Marinakis took exception to Neville's criticisms of his conduct.
Neville's claim in April 2024 that the club were behaving like “a mafia gang” particularly angered Marinakis, who threatened legal action against Sky. The broadcaster later said it had discussed with Neville “the language used and its potential to cause offence” and apologised “for any offence caused”.
The row began when Neville criticised Marinakis for walking onto the pitch and remonstrating with manager Nuno Espírito Santo after a 2-2 draw with Leicester City in April. Neville described the owner's conduct as “scandalous” and suggested Nuno should “negotiate his exit”.
Forest were later fined £750,000 by the Football Association for a statement criticising video assistant referee Stuart Attwell after a 2-0 defeat at Everton. Neville had compared the club's behaviour to a “mafia gang” over that statement.
Although Neville is not formally banned, Forest want assurances he will be more careful in his language before confirming he can attend. Sky had assumed the ban was a one-off, but further talks are required to resolve the standoff. Neville will not be present at Forest's opening game against Brentford, as he is assigned to Manchester United v Arsenal.
