Sky Sports give Gary Neville dressing down and issue grovelling apology

Sky Sports have issued a grovelling apology to Nottingham Forest after Gary Neville accused them of behaving like a 'Mafia gang' on live TV. The former Manchester United right-back was highly critical of Forest after they issued a controversial statement in the wake of their defeat at Everton last season.

Forest were left furious after being denied what they felt were three clear penalties and responded by issuing a brutal statement on social media. They accused VAR official Stuart Attwell of being a supporter of Luton Town, who were battling with Forest at the bottom of the Premier League table.

Neville did not agree with Forest's decision to release such a statement and was particularly scathing in his criticism, saying: "It’s like a Mafia gang statement. I mean, honestly, what the hell are they playing at? It’s like a petulant child, it’s embarrassing.

"Some of those things they’re saying in there, the suggestion of some sort of inferring of cheating because there’s an official in VAR in Stockley Park who’s a Luton fan, is a scandal and they will pay for that."

Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis was unhappy with Neville's comments and reportedly sent a letter of legal complaint to Sky Sports. The broadcaster has since issued a grovelling apology, with a statement confirming Neville has been advised to think carefully about his choice of language.

It read: "In response to a Nottingham Forest statement outlining their grievances with PGMOL following their match with Everton on 21 April, Gary Neville, commenting on Super Sunday, strongly criticised Nottingham Forest’s approach.

"Sky Sports have discussed with Gary the language used and its potential to cause offence. Gary has agreed not to use the same or similar terms in future coverage. Sky Sports apologises to Nottingham Forest for any offence caused by this language."

Neville also tore into former Premier League referee Mark Clattenberg, who was working as a consultant for Forest at the time. Clattenberg resigned from his position only a few days later, having spent just three months in the role which involved overseeing the club’s response to apparent miscarriages of justice.

"Mark Clattenberg must resign tonight," said Neville at the time. "If he saw those words go out in which question the integrity of a referee and claims someone is a cheat for supporting another club, then he’s supporting what is being said. He would lose all credibility with referees in the game. He should stand down tonight and distance himself from that statement."