Gary Neville ban 'triggered widespread alarm' as Premier League and Sky Sports hold serious talks

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Fintan Starkey

By Fintan Starkey


Published: 25/05/2025

- 11:47

Updated: 25/05/2025

- 11:47

Neville has been banned following his comments about the Nottingham Forest owner

The Premier League and Sky Sports have engaged in high-level talks after Nottingham Forest banned Gary Neville from their final game of the season.

Neville initially planned to be at the City Ground for Forest’s crucial match against Chelsea.


Sky was later informed by Forest that Neville would be denied accreditation for the match.

The decision has promoted “alarm” among broadcasters and the Premier League, according to the Daily Mail.

Gary Neville

Gary Neville has been banned from the Nottingham Forest stadium

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The latest TV deal saw Sky land four of five packages as the firm and TNT Sports combined for a four-year, £6.7 billion contract.

Further talks have been set, with the Premier League, Sky, and TNT Sports all concerned over the precedent this could set going forward.

The ban comes after Neville criticised Forest owner Evangelos Markinakis, calling an on pitch row with Nuno Espírito Santo, “scandalous”.

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Marinakis was said to be seething following the 2-2 draw with rivals Leicester due to the decision to allow Taiwo Awoniyi to keep playing after he had a high-speed collision with the post.

Awoniyi was placed into an induced coma after it was found out he had a ruptured intestine following the game.

Neville was heavily critical at the time, posting on social media: "What the Forest owner has just done on the pitch over at the City Ground is absolutely scandalous.

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Gary Neville

Sky are very concerned over the precedent this sets

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"If I was Nuno, I'd be going and having a very strong word with him, because that is an absolute scandal.

"He's just qualified them for a European competition, and from where that club's been, and to be remonstrated with on that pitch in front of the club's fans is an absolute joke."

Neville later responded to Forest’s decision on social media.

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The former Manchester United star took to X to say: "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."

A Sky Sports spokesman revealed that they were forced to change their coverage plans for the match.

Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher

Sky have been forced to rearrange their coverage plans

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“This was an unprecedented and unwelcome step," the spokesman said.

"As a result, Sky Sports has decided to revise its production plans and has taken the decision to present the game from Sky Studios in west London."