Nottingham Forest defender Ola Aina was given a sharp on-air reprimand after admitting he had begun “talking to another footballer’s girlfriend” during an appearance on Channel 4’s online programme Savage Kids and Agony Aunties.
The format pairs celebrities with a panel of children and a group of “aunties”, whose job is to dispense blunt, often unforgiving advice.
Aina, 29, stunned the room when he revealed the dilemma he wanted help with.
“My dilemma is I’m in the talking stage with another baller’s girl,” he said, prompting gasps from both groups.
Asked immediately which club the unnamed player represented, Aina refused to elaborate: “Can’t disclose that one.”
He went on to confirm they had been speaking for “a few weeks”.
Pressed further about the mutual nature of the situation, the Forest full-back added: “I know she likes me back,” insisting that the woman allegedly “wants to be with him more than her current boyfriend”.
Five facts about the Premier League | PA/GETTY/REUTERS/GBNEWSThe admission triggered a mix of admonishment and incredulity.
One of the aunties offered forthright guidance: “I think you need to just own up to the guy. You gotta be honest and say, ‘Listen, I was trying to chat her up. She [should] have shut me down and she didn’t’.”
A child panellist went even further, accusing the woman concerned of being motivated by Aina’s salary.
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“Me personally, I think she’s only there for your money. You’re a professional footballer, you’re earning bread, plenty more girls will come," they said.
"She’s on a permanent sin bin off the pitch, red card.”
Another aunty then delivered a sterner rebuke, urging Aina to take responsibility for the situation.
“Son, I advise you to show some integrity. Don’t be sneaking around,” she said.
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Faced with mounting criticism, Aina eventually accepted the aunties’ recommendation - a choice they insisted he should prioritise “instead of listening to children”, drawing laughter from the studio audience.
Aina is currently away from first-team action as he recovers from a hamstring injury sustained in September.
Forest do not expect him to return before the start of 2026.
His involvement this season has been limited to three Premier League matches, totalling 270 minutes, with his most recent appearance coming in a 3-0 home defeat to West Ham in August during Nuno Espírito Santo’s tenure.