Nottingham Forest fans mock Gary Neville's absence with X-rated chant
Gary Neville was relentlessly targeted by Nottingham Forest fans following the bitter row between the club's owner, Evangelos Marinakis, and the Sky Sports pundit.
Neville was a notable absentee from Sky's coverage of the final-day encounter between Forest and Chelsea, having been involved in a spat with Marinakis over the past week.
After criticising Marinakis for marching on to the pitch following Forest's draw with Leicester City earlier this month – Neville advised manager Nuno Espírito Santo to 'go and negotiate his exit tonight' as a result – the Greek billionaire sanctioned a scathing club statement that was clearly in response to Neville's criticism. Marinakis claimed in it that his emotional response was in reaction to an incident involving Forest forward Taiwo Awoniyi, who had collided with a post and needed emergency surgery.
The club then rejected Neville's accreditation request and denied him entry to the City Ground for the final game of the season, in which potential qualification for the Champions League was on the line.
In response, Sky elected not to broadcast their coverage of Sunday's match from the ground and instead built up to the match with host Dave Jones and pundits Jamie Carragher and Jamie Redknapp live from their London studio.
Meanwhile, Forest fans rejoiced in the former Manchester United defender's absence, with 'Where's Gary?' signs mocked up in the style of Where's Wally? and handed out to supporters. Foul-mouthed chants of 'Gary Neville is a w-----' being heard throughout the opening exchanges of the game. The chants were audible on Sky Sports' coverage, too, although the broadcaster appeared to mute them seconds later. The broadcaster has been contacted for a response.
Ban is unprecedented, says Neville
Neville released a statement on the controversy on Friday. 'I was contacted by Sky Sports earlier on in the week and told that I would be commentating at the City Ground for the Nottingham Forest v Chelsea match,' Neville said.
'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. I think it's disappointing that a great club like Forest have been reduced to making such a decision.
'Whilst they have every right to choose who they let into their own stadium, it's symptomatic of things that have happened over the last 12 months with the club. I wish the coaching staff, players and fans of the club all the best in their quest to achieve Champions League football.'
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