The City Ground has been given an official capacity of zero by safety officials over an administrative lapse.
Nottingham Forest are having an annual safety audit carried out by Nottinghamshire County Council – and the club has told the authority it no longer has a safety certificate holder.
As it is a legal requirement for sports clubs to have someone in such a position, the council has officially restricted the club’s capacity to zero.
The problem was revealed in a joint statement issued by the council and Forest on Thursday night.
Paul McKay, service director responsible for public protection at the council, said: “Unfortunately, we have no choice other than to restrict the club’s spectator capacity to nil until they put in place a suitable person to fill this role, which will allow the club to hold matches with spectators.
“We are keeping this position under review and will be working closely with the club in the coming weeks on this issue.”
Forest’s next home game is a pre-season friendly against Hull City on July 30. The club are next due to be at the City Ground for their Championship season opener against Burton on August 6.
A spokesman for Nottigham Forest said: “The club will continue to work in conjunction with the County Council to ensure all requirements are met and that a suitable person will be appointed as the club’s safety certificate holder.
“Nottingham Forest has a healthy long standing relationship with the County Council, and all parties are working together to resolve this matter as quickly and efficiently as possible.”
