Mark Clattenburg fumes over Nottingham Forest VAR ‘joke’ after Gary Neville tells him to resign

Nottingham Forest refereeing analyst Mark Clattenburg fumes over the ‘joke’ that is VAR after Gary Neville tells him to resign from the role.

Mark Clattenburg hit out at the three refereeing decisions that went against Nottingham Forest in the game against Everton, calling it “unacceptable,” with PGMOL having the ability to prevent such occurrences.

Forest fell to defeat in a crucial match against the Toffees, losing 2-0 at Goodison Park, leaving Nuno Espirito Santo’s side in a vulnerable position, a one point above the drop zone.

Three extremely poor decisions – three penalties not given – which we simply cannot accept.

We warned the PGMOL that the VAR is a Luton fan before the game but they didn’t change him. Our patience has been tested multiple times.

NFFC will now consider its options.

— Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) April 21, 2024

Forest expressed their frustration as three penalty appeals were dismissed by the match officials, with some of these incidents appeared to be clear penalties, such as a handball by Ashley Young that went unnoticed.

Forest took to social media to release an explosive statement condemning the officials’ performances and highlighting that the VAR is a Luton fan – with the Hatters also battling to stay up.

They said: “Three extremely poor decisions – three penalties not given – which we simply cannot accept. We warned the PGMOL that the VAR is a Luton fan before the game but they didn’t change him. Our patience has been tested multiple times. NFFC will now consider its options.”

Clattenburg, who works for Forest as a refereeing consultant, emphasised the failure of VAR to intervene and stated that the team felt “targeted” after being on the wrong end of multiple poor decisions.

STATEMENT FROM CLATTENBURG:

One of these errors would have been bad enough. Three was a joke, and that is why Nottingham Forest were left feeling victimised after another defeat in which zero big decisions went their way.

In a season where they have had to endure some egregious refereeing, this trip to Everton was as grim a game as they have encountered since returning to the Premier League.

First, Ashley Young kicked the back of the foot of Giovanni Reyna. We have seen others win penalties in similar situations — Anthony Gordon for Newcastle against West Ham, for example — but not this time. No visit to the monitor. No penalty awarded.

Then, Callum Hudson-Odoi’s cross was stopped by the outstretched arm of Young. Handballs for making your body unnaturally bigger have routinely resulted in spot-kicks — Michael Keane was penalised for Everton against Liverpool, for example — but again, not this time. No visit to the monitor. No penalty awarded.

Finally, Hudson-Odoi was bursting into the box when Young challenged him from behind, completely wiping him out. Referee Anthony Taylor apparently told the players on the pitch that both Young and Hudson-Odoi touched the ball. The television replays told a very different story and VAR Stuart Attwell had to send Taylor for a second look to correct his call. He didn’t. No visit to the monitor. No penalty awarded.

These situations were precisely why video technology was brought into the Premier League and yet, Attwell did not send Taylor to his monitor. Not once. It was a hat-trick of howlers from the refereeing team and, unfortunately for Forest, a continuation of an unjust trend that has hampered their survival fight.

You will have seen the statement released by the club — how the PGMOL were contacted to warn that it was not appropriate for a Luton fan such as Attwell to play such a pivotal role in a massive match that would impact the relegation race.

Certainly, I would not have risked this situation if I were the head of the referees and all of this could have been avoided had the PGMOL simply made smarter appointments.

Referees do not make mistakes deliberately but this was mind-boggling to watch. Why Attwell did not send Taylor to his screen, only he will know.

The PGMOL can acknowledge the errors if they want. The Key Match Incident panel can say Forest should have been awarded three penalties if they wish. Howard Webb can offer up an explanation on his Match Officials Mic’d Up television show with Michael Owen if he is so inclined.

All of that is bound to happen, but none of it will help Nottingham Forest now.

“He must resign from his job at Nottingham Forest” ❌

Gary Neville says Mark Clattenburg has to stand down tonight 😮 pic.twitter.com/VF2z4snn9s

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) April 21, 2024

Gary Neville calls for Mark Clattenburg to resign from his role as Nottingham Forest’s referee analyst after the club issued that remarkable statement after their defeat at Everton.

Responding to the statement, he said: “It’s like a mafia gang statement, honestly. What the hell are they playing at?

“I think everyone would have empathy and sympathy with Nottingham Forest this season with some of the decisions that they’ve had, but they’ve grabbed defeat from victory in the way they’ve handled it. It’s like a petulant child, it’s embarrassing.

“Some of those things that they’re saying in there, the suggestion that they are inferring cheating because there is a VAR in Stockley Park who is a Luton fan is a scandal. They will pay for that, and they will regret that as a football club, in terms of their history and how they have presented themselves very well over a long period of time. They will regret that.

“The last line, this ‘explore all options’, I was very critical of Liverpool earlier on in the season after the Tottenham game (when Luis Diaz’s goal was disallowed). Clubs have got to stop saying that. Sue? Replay the game? Take points back? What are your options?

“Your options are that you can whinge a little bit if you want, you can be upset, but you haven’t got any options. This is a sporting situation. Unless we’re going to class referees and officials as cheats, which we’re not, we never go down that route, they’re not. So get rid of that ‘explore all options.’ Nottingham Forest today have let themselves down badly in the midst of having a couple of bad decisions go against them.”

“Mark Clattenburg must resign tonight,” continued Neville. “He must resign from his job at Nottingham Forest.

“If he sees those words that go out which question integrity, and essentially call a VAR a cheat because he supports a certain club, then he’s supporting what’s being said and he would basically lose all credibility with referees in the game.

“He should stand down tonight and distance himself from that statement, in my opinion.”

“That’s like a fan in a pub” 😮@carra23 says Nottingham Forest’s response is an embarrassment 😳 pic.twitter.com/PeTiYNvzVW

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) April 21, 2024

Jamie Carragher hit out at Forest’s behaviour after the tweet was released. He said: “It tells you where we are with the Premier League now and the clubs. Stuart Attwell and Anthony Taylor have had a horrific day.

“[They were] Awful and they should be rightly criticised for that and it could have real implications for Forest. I get the frustration. But that what I have just read there on social media, that is like a fan in a pub.”

Carragher added: “That is embarrassing from Nottingham Forest. I get the frustration.

“That. Rubbish about the VAR is a Luton fan, you can’t get involved in that and you have to show a little bit of class if you are a football club and I get it, the frustration. The officials have had an awful day, terrible.

“But you can’t get involved in that, that is nonsense.”

This is how fans reacted as Mark Clattenburg fumes over the Nottingham Forest VAR ‘joke’ after Gary Neville tells him to resign…

@CBobblers1878: Notts forest losing the plot

@rogerefc: Coming from him? Really? Was he at Goodison today? Only ask because once was a time he wasn’t let anywhere near the place!

@Vaughanie10: Mark Clattenburg is an expert in officiating howlers at Goodison Park…

@WillyBurgers_: Clattenburg would know all about a ref having a shocker at goodison, none are yet to top his performance that day, if his opinion really holds any weight then the games more fucked than I ever thought

@MaxPollard92: Some great, balanced, totally unbiased words here from the *checks notes* Refereeing Consultant at Nottingham Forest.

@ToffeeBlue1878: Coming from the man who was giving hibbert a yellow till he listened to Gerrard and changed it to a red. Bellend.

@AnnemarieDray: Biased former official questions the bias of officials.

@edddawbz: Yes you should have had 2 pens today. But seriously Forest need to stop this. Approach the FA officially. This is a joke

@AzamWHUFC: Mark Clattenburg is an arrogant prick. Don’t get me wrong I thought Forest should’ve had at least one penalty today but I cannot stand this man. He’s always wanted to be in the limelight and be all about him. The fact he’s in a consultancy sort of role at Forest sickens me.

@3andcaptain: oh this has rattled me beyond belief hahaha

@Glassinho: I cannot stand listening to Neville. He’s such a virtue signalling sensationalist. Loves the attention. Coming out with stuff like this will just cause a social media pile on Clattenburg. He’s such a trouble causer.

@OzilThings: What is this utter nonsense? For years they’ve cried about VAR and referee decisions, the second a club makes a stance they’re suddenly “embarrassing” and a disgrace to the sport??

@KayLFC05_: Neville and Carragher are clearly in PGMOL’s pocket. For years screaming how bad officials are, and they’ve done a sudden U-turn after the Tottenham-Liverpool error…

@JKD_LFC: This seems an overreaction from Neville. The words do not include “cheat”. Bias would be a better interpretation, which could be unconscious. Why would anyone in the game not want to remove any possible bias? This would protect the Refs as well as the game.

@KayLFC05_: Since their mate Howard Webb has been on sky they’ve changed their tune about referees 🤔

@CFCTix: @GNev2 embarrassing from you. You’re way off. If anyone should resign, it should be you!!

@CfcFofannnny: Neville continually shows everyone what a clown he is

@WiggumCharm: State of it. Lessons in morality from a Big Six mouthpiece, gleefully collecting his cheques from the broadcaster overlords who have helped ruined this game beyond recognition. Qatar’s biggest critic, but happy to pocket their money. No need to answer to the likes of him.

@henjohansen1: What about Neville resigning for all his rubish week after week… Find a more bias person then him… Oh wait, Carragher! 🤯

@NFFC_FPL: Sticking up for your employers Gary? Never would have thought that 🙃]

@bunters123: If Forrest brought the official to the attention of the pgmol BEFORE the match and then he denies 3 penalties with dodgy decisions surely that vindicates the club.

@UTDshawn876: So basically he should step down because @NFFC has the balls to stand up for what has been going on in the EPL that’s is absolutely disgusting. @GNev2 when did you stop supporting the fairness of the game?