Nottingham Forest defender Ola Aina reprimanded on air
Nottingham Forest defender Ola Aina received a sharp reprimand after revealing he had begun “talking to another footballer’s girlfriend” during an appearance on Channel 4’s online programme Savage Kids and Agony Aunties, reports BritPanorama.
Aina, 29, caused a stir when he disclosed the dilemma he sought advice on. “My dilemma is I’m in the talking stage with another baller’s girl,” he stated, prompting gasps from both the panel of children and the aunties present.
When asked about the unnamed player’s club, Aina declined to provide further details: “Can’t disclose that one.” He confirmed that he and the woman had been speaking for “a few weeks” and added, “I know she likes me back,” asserting that she allegedly “wants to be with him more than her current boyfriend.”
The admission triggered a mix of admonishment and incredulity among the panel. One auntie candidly advised, “I think you need to just own up to the guy. You gotta be honest and say, ‘Listen, I was trying to chat her up. She [should] have shut me down and she didn’t’.” A child panellist went further, suggesting that the woman might be motivated by Aina’s salary.
“Me personally, I think she’s only there for your money. You’re a professional footballer, you’re earning bread; plenty more girls will come,” the child remarked. “She’s on a permanent sin bin off the pitch, red card.”
Another auntie delivered a sterner rebuke, urging Aina to take responsibility for the situation. “Son, I advise you to show some integrity. Don’t be sneaking around,” she cautioned.
Faced with escalating criticism, Aina ultimately accepted the recommendation made by the aunties—an acknowledgment they insisted he prioritise “instead of listening to children,” eliciting laughter from the audience. Aina is currently sidelined due to a hamstring injury sustained in September, with expectations that he will not return before the start of 2026.
His participation this season has been restricted to three Premier League matches, amounting to 270 minutes, the last of which was a 3-0 defeat to West Ham in August during Nuno Espírito Santo’s management.
In the world of football, where personal and professional lives often intertwine, this incident serves as a reminder of the scrutiny players face, even in their private affairs. For Aina, navigating both his relationships and recovery from injury may prove to be a greater challenge than he anticipated.
