David Beckham and Gary Neville were always a formidable partnership on the pitch, and now the former England midfielder has shown he is prepared to come to his friend’s defence off it too.
Sky Sports pundit Neville has found himself in hot water following his staunch criticism of Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis.
Neville did not approve of the Greek businessman’s decision to take to the pitch following Forest’s 2-2 draw with Leicester City earlier this month.
He was quick to criticise the bizarre flashpoint on social media after the match.
“Scandalous from that Forest owner,” he wrote.
“Nuno should go and negotiate his exit tonight with him!
“The Forest fans, players and manager do not deserve that.”
Image: Twitter/@GNev2
However, in a stunning turn of events the two-time European Cup winners have decided to hit back.
The club have refused to give the Manchester United legend media accreditation for their final Premier League match of the season against Chelsea.
Neville was set to co-commentate the crucial fixture but has now been forced to withdraw from the role.
“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,” he wrote on Instagram.
“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.
“Personally, I think it’s disappointing that a great club like Nottingham 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.”
That appeared to be the end of the matter until Neville’s long-time friend and former teammate Beckham had his say.
The 50-year-old made light of the situation, suggesting that Forest’s decision was payback for a famous thrashing from 1999.
“Must of been something to do with that 7 – 1 game back in the day,” the former Manchester United and Real Madrid midfielder replied in the comment section.
Image: Instagram
Beckham was referring to Manchester United’s iconic 8-1 victory over Forest during the 1998-99 Premier League campaign, which the pair both featured in.
Reporting by Jonathan Bray.
