Sky Sports
have had to alter their arrangements for the last day of coverage
Premier League
after
Nottingham Forest
to take the exceptional measure of prohibiting
Gary Neville
from the City Ground.
Neville, who leads Sky’s co-commentators, was scheduled to provide commentary on the game.
key confrontation involving the hosts and Chelsea
With both teams aiming to secure their spot in next year’s Champions League.
However, the broadcaster was later told that the ex-Manchester United and England defender had been refused accreditation for the match and thus would not be permitted to enter.
It has been reported that Sky have changed their strategy and will now broadcast the match from their studios located in west London; however, Neville won’t be included in their coverage.
The individual who is 50 years old has chosen to step away from working on the game, a choice endorsed by their superiors. However, a commentating team will continue to be present at the venue.
Neville affirmed his choice in a statement: “Yesterday, Sky Sports notified me that Nottingham Forest wouldn’t provide me with accreditation or entry into the stadium for commentary roles. Consequently, I have been compelled to step back from the coverage.”
In the past 14 years of performing this role, I’ve handed out plenty of critique and commendation, but nothing has ever approached this unmatched step.
I personally find it disheartening that a prestigious club like Nottingham Forest has had to make such a choice. They are within their rights to decide whom they allow into their stadium; however, this reflects the situation the club has faced over the past year. My wishes go out to the coaching staff, players, and supporters as they strive for Champions League success.
Neville had expressed criticism towards Forest
and
Evangelos Marinakis
lately, following the team’s owner storming onto the pitch to challenge the manager
Nuno Espirito Santo
following a 2-2 tie with Leicester.
Forest later indicated that Marinakis was looking for more information about the incident involving Taiwo Awoniyi, who ended up in hospital after colliding with a post.
Absolutely outrageous behaviour from the Forest owner,” Neville shared on X, previously known as Twitter. “Nuno needs to discuss his departure with him right now! Neither the Forest supporters, nor the team members, nor even the manager deserve this.
Last year,
Sky apologized to Forest regarding the language employed by Neville.
Following their game at Everton, Neville compared their behavior to that of a “mafia gang” after they issued a social media statement challenging Stuart Attwell’s selection as the video assistant referee.
Entering the final day, Forest sits seventh in the Premier League table and needs to defeat Chelsea to secure a top-five position.
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