Nottingham Forest are demanding assurances from Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville before allowing him to return to the City Ground, after a public row that erupted over comments made in the wake of Taiwo Awoniyi’s serious injury last season, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

Forest banned the former Manchester United defender from attending the club’s 2024/25 season finale against Chelsea in a broadcasting capacity.

According to NottinghamshireLive, the club wants confirmation from Neville ahead of the upcoming Premier League season before allowing his return to the City Ground.

“Nottingham Forest are seeking assurances from Gary Neville ahead of the new Premier League campaign before welcoming him back into the City Ground,” the outlet reported.

“Both parties do not appear to be any closer to settling their differences amid the ongoing row.”

Awoniyi suffered a significant abdominal injury during Forest’s 2-2 draw with Leicester City in May, requiring surgery.

In the immediate aftermath, Neville criticised club owner Evangelos Marinakis for entering the pitch and confronting manager Nuno Espírito Santo, describing the incident as “scandalous” and suggesting the head coach should “negotiate his exit” that night.

Forest lodged a formal complaint with Sky Sports, accusing Neville of spreading “fake news” and stressing that “ill-informed outrage” served “no one, least of all the injured player”.

The club’s statement came after the striker’s setback had already dealt a major blow to their campaign. Neville later mocked the statement on his podcast with a sarcastic “Sorry Mr Marinakis”.

While no official ban is in place, The Guardian also reports additionally that Forest will not accommodate Neville in a broadcasting capacity unless he gives assurances that he will show greater restraint when commenting on Marinakis in future.

The episode deepened an already strained relationship, following earlier disputes in which Neville likened the club’s conduct to “a mafia gang”, remarks that drew legal threats and a formal apology from Sky.