Exclusive: Nottingham Forest board at ‘war’ over stadium deal

There is a significant split between Nottingham Forest chiefs about whether to stay or leave the City Ground, sources have told Football Insider.

Forest have started laying the groundwork for expansion plans to grow the capacity at the City Ground to over 40,000.

The club have failed to strike an agreement with the Nottingham City Council after they demanded £250million for a 250-year land lease – £1million per season.

The latest proposal from the council is to sell the freehold of the City Ground for around £10million, which would provide the club with complete control over their expansion plans.

However, Forest are yet to reply to the offer with many board members still preferring a move away from the City Ground as a long-term plan.

Nottingham Forest chiefs at ‘war’ over crucial stadium deal

Sources have told Football Insider that the stadium decision has caused a “civil war” at Forest with club chiefs split about whether to move or not.

Chairman Evangelos Marinakis recently told the Daily Mail: “In an age when revenue streams dictate success on the pitch, there’s no doubt moving to a bigger facility will set the club on the right path.”

From the 2025-26 season onwards, top-flight clubs will be permitted to spend 85 percent of their revenue on wages, transfers fees and agent fees.

The idea of abandoning the City Ground as a home venue has met fierce criticism from the club’s fanbase, with supporters protesting against the move in their latest home match against Chelsea.