Jeff Stelling rips into Nottingham Forest amid reports they could sue Gary Neville for ‘mafia gang’ jibe

Jeff Stelling has branded Nottingham Forest’s reported intentions to pursue Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville as “nonsense”.

It comes after Neville criticized Nottingham Forest before calling on the club’s referee analyst Mark Clattenburg to resign from his post.

Forest took to social media platform X on Sunday to protest against the refereeing during their 2-0 defeat at Everton.

A statement from the Midlands club has accused the PGMOL of naming a Luton Town supporter in the VAR team for the relegation clash at Goodison Park.

Forest were harmed by a number of decisions they felt went against them, even with VAR intervening.

Reacting to the club’s post, Neville slammed Forest’s approach, calling it a “scandal”.

“It’s like a statement from a mafia gang, honestly…what are they playing at?” he told Sky Sports.

“It’s like a petulant child, it’s embarrassing. Some of the things they say, the deduction of cheating because there is a VAR official who is a Luton fan, is a scandal and they will pay for that.

“Mark Clattenburg must resign this evening (Sunday),” Neville added. “He must resign from his position at Nottingham Forest.

“Because if he sees these words coming out that question the integrity and basically call a VAR official a cheater because he supports a certain club, then he supports what is being said.

“I think he would lose all credibility with the match officials.

“He should step down tonight and distance himself from that statement in my opinion.”

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Reports on Tuesday morning claim that Forest’s legal team is drafting a letter to Sky regarding Neville’s comments and is seriously considering legal action.

However Stelling, a former colleague of Neville, condemned the idea, calling it nonsense.

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“There are rumors that they might pursue Gary Neville now, which is going a bit too far just for someone to use a certain phrase and express their opinion, I mean, that’s nonsense,” Stelling told talkSPORT.

“They want the audio between the officials and I understand, maybe the audio should be played, but what does Forest think he’s going to say?

“Are they expecting Stuart Attwell to say ‘penalty, but I’m not giving that because it will affect Luton.’

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Nottingham Forest risk facing heavy sanctions from the Football Association over the statement and other comments from club officials.

The FA has requested comments from the club, Clattenburg, boss Nuno Espirito Santo and defender Neco Williams.