The recent match between Nottingham Forest and Everton has stirred controversy due to what Forest deemed as “extremely poor” refereeing decisions that went against them. However, contrary to their claims, it has been revealed that Forest did not specifically request for Stuart Attwell to be removed from video assistant referee (VAR) duties for their game.
Forest expressed their frustration over three penalty claims during the Premier League match, all involving Everton defender Ashley Young, none of which were awarded in their favor. They believed that Young caught the back of Gio Reyna’s boot in an attempted tackle when the game was goalless. Additionally, they argued that a Callum Hudson-Odoi cross struck Young’s arm in the first half, and that Young had fouled Hudson-Odoi from behind in the second half. However, the officials ruled in Young’s favor in all three instances.
In response to these decisions, Forest took to social media to express their disappointment and stated that they were considering their options. They also claimed to have warned the Professional Game Match Officials Board (PGMOL) about Attwell’s alleged bias as a Luton fan. However, it has now been clarified that Forest did not specifically mention any issue with Attwell’s involvement.
It is worth noting that Forest’s frustrations with refereeing decisions extend beyond this particular match. The club has recently hired former referee Mark Clattenburg as their referee analyst due to what they perceive as a series of unfavorable decisions against them. Clattenburg himself wrote a column in the Mail on Sunday, stating that Forest felt victimized after yet another defeat where key decisions did not go their way.
Despite these controversies, Forest finds themselves in a precarious position in the Premier League. Currently sitting 17th in the table, they are just one point above the relegation zone with only four games remaining. In addition to their on-field struggles, Forest also faces an upcoming appeal against a four-point punishment for breaching profit and sustainability rules.
In conclusion, while Nottingham Forest expressed their dissatisfaction with the refereeing decisions in their match against Everton, it has been clarified that they did not specifically request for Stuart Attwell to be removed from VAR duties. The club’s frustrations extend beyond this particular match, and they have taken steps to address what they perceive as unfavorable decisions by hiring former referee Mark Clattenburg. With their Premier League status hanging in the balance and an upcoming appeal against a points deduction, Forest faces a challenging period both on and off the pitch.