Nottingham Forest were ridiculed and accused of lacking “class” after accusing the referee of being a Luton Town fan.
Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo was furious after three penalty appeals were dismissed by match officials following the 2-0 defeat to Everton at Goodison Park .
Minutes after the game ended, the club claimed virtual assistant referee (VAR) Stuart Atwell was a “Luton fan” and advised the Professional Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) not to act on their concerns.
“Three extremely poor decisions – three penalties not awarded – we simply cannot accept,” the club tweeted.
“We warned PGMOL before the game that VAR was Luton fans but they didn’t change him.
“Our patience has been tested many times. The NFFC will now consider its options.”
The defeat leaves Forest in 17th place super leagueJust one point above Luton Town and at risk of relegation to the Championship.
“We try to ignore it but it happens many times,” Nuno told Sky Sports, claiming referees’ decisions often unfairly disadvantage the club.
The Forest boss said “these decisions could mean points”, adding: “We feel [PGMOL] They’re taking something away from us and it’s hard not to react to that. “
Forest coach Nuno Espirito Santo looked frustrated during the game. Image: PA
Forest player Neco Williams said there were “three blatant penalties” during the game, adding: “Is it because we’re a bottom half team?
“I guarantee the top six teams are going to get every one of them. It’s ridiculous.”
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“Show a little class”
Sky Sports pundits Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville criticized Forest’s statement, with Carragher comparing the comments to those of “fans in pubs”.
“I’m frustrated, however, by what I’ve just read on social media, like the fans in the pub,” Carragher said. “This incident at Nottingham Forest is embarrassing.
“VAR is rubbish for Luton fans – you can’t get involved and if you’re a football club you have to show a bit of quality.
“I understand the frustration – the officials had a bad day, it was terrible – but you can’t be a part of that, that’s nonsense.”
Neville said: “The football club’s statement is horrific and it destroys the club’s proud history.
“The inferred cheating, as one Luton fan as the VAR official suggested, is absolutely ridiculous.”
Palace mocks statement
After the 5-2 win over West Ham United, Crystal Palace mocked Forest’s statement, posting on X: “Five very good goals – two conceded – we just have to live with it.”
Everton and Nottingham have both had points deducted for infringements this season Premier League rules on profitability and sustainability.
It’s not the first time Forest have been angered by a refereeing decision and have appointed former official Mark Clattenburg as a consultant analyst to defend themselves.
Writing in the Daily Mail, Clattenburg called the three decisions “a joke” and said Forest had been subject to “some appalling refereeing” this season.
The Football Association told Sky News they were aware of Forest’s posts and were investigating.
Sky News has also contacted PGMOL for comment.
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