Nottingham Forest triple down on PGMOL after FA and Premier League take issue with VAR outburst

Nottingham Forest triple down on PGMOL in a new statement after the FA and Premier League take issue with the VAR outburst on Sunday.

The Reds accused Stuart Attwell, the VAR for their contentious 2-0 defeat at Everton on Sunday, of being a Luton fan after three penalty appeals were turned down.

Forest say they want VAR audio from the match to be released, the FA are now seeking observations, while the Premier League are ‘extremely disappointed’ with the tweet.

NOTTINGHAM FOREST STATEMENT #1 (21 April, 3:37pm)

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 STATEMENT #2 (22 April, 3:22pm)

Nottingham Forest has today submitted a formal request to the PGMOL to release into the public domain the audio recordings between officials during yesterday’s match against Everton at Goodison Park.

The club has requested this be shared for three key match incidents – Ashley Young’s challenge on Giovanni Reyna (24th minute), Ashley Young’s handball (44th minute) and Ashley Young’s challenge on Callum Hudson-Odoi (56th minute).

We firmly advocate for the broader football community and supporters to have access to the audio and transcript for full transparency, ensuring the integrity of our sport is upheld.

FA STATEMENT (22 April, 5:15pm)

We have formally requested observations from Nottingham Forest, Nuno Espirito Santo, Neco Williams and Mark Clattenburg as a result of their comments following their Premier League match against Everton on Sunday 21 April. We will provide any further updates in due course.

PREMIER LEAGUE STATEMENT (22 April, 5:31pm)

The Premier League was extremely disappointed to read the comments made by Nottingham Forest on social media yesterday, following its match against Everton.

We note The FA has confirmed it will be investigating the club’s statement. It is never appropriate to improperly question the integrity of match officials, and the nature of these comments means the Premier League will also be investigating the matter in relation to the League’s Rules.

NOTTINGHAM FOREST STATEMENT #3 (22 April, 5:50pm)

Following yesterday’s match at Everton, NFFC issued a statement highlighting our concern at the perception of the PGMOL appointment of VAR for the game. This was an issue we raised with PGMOL prior to the fixture because of the fear of the side show that would ensue if anything went wrong with officiating in the game. That fear has materialised, as the correctness of three important decisions against the Club have been called into doubt.

This is not about individuals but rather how the integrity of the game is seen. We know match officials do not allow outside factors to influence their decision-making and that all referees are required to declare their ‘allegiances’ to PGMOL to avoid any perceived conflict or harm to the game’s reputation for integrity.

However, it is clear PGMOL must amend its rule on allegiances to account for contextual rivalries in the league table, not just local rivalries. This is currently not within the criteria but should be. Mere reliance on match officials to recuse themselves if contextual rivalries exist invites conjecture, as some have recused themselves where others have not.

NFFC stands by its request for greater transparency around PGMOL appointments to further protect the game’s reputation, as intended in PGMOL’s existing approach to allegiances.

Given the widespread and ongoing concerns, not merely of the fans, players and managers of this Club but of many others and the pundits too, over VAR decisions throughout this season any move which boosts confidence in the system should be properly considered.

SEE MORE: Ashley Young smirks during interview as he’s asked about Nottingham Forest penalty appeals

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

SEE MORE: Jamie Carragher slams Nottingham Forest’s explosive statement claiming “VAR is a Luton fan”

This is what fans are saying as Nottingham Forest triple down on PGMOL after the FA and Premier League take issue with the VAR outburst…

@OfficialFFTV: This isn’t even about Nottingham Forest now. This is about the integrity and fairness of the WHOLE league. Release the audio!! #NFFC

@_traderh: About time a club had the balls not to back down. Props to Forest

@now_arsenaI: Don’t back down lads. Regardless of what team you support, you should agree with this. The best league in the world with the worst officials and something needs to be done about it.

@agbnufc_: You know what I say fair play. Everyone is sick of the inconsistency and big club bias, yet when someone calls it out, they get hammered? Not having that.

@WfcHJames: They need to stop letting refs cover their teams’ local rivals games as well. Watford gets Keith Stroud multiple times a season, and it’s always an incredibly biased referee performance.

@NUFCMurph: Let them cook!

@1981Carrie: That’s why you should never put out statements based on emotions, had this been the initial statement a lot more people would have spoken about it rather than the tone of the statement

@Dale_17_: VAR and the standard of referees across all 4 leagues in England is scandalous, the standard should be high but its getting worse each week, PGMOL needs to have a good think about what happens next as its costing teams in huge fixtures

@OliverPostingLs: 3 club statements in 24 hours, sometimes you just have to sit back and watch the masters at work

@NUFCLC: If a player makes mistakes, he’s thrown out of the team. If a manager makes mistakes, he’s sacked. Why on earth should referees be any different? They are absolutely nobodies who have far far too much say in too many important decisions. Fair play Forest, wake up @PGMOL. #NUFC

@jaacknffc: No foreplay or nothing we’re fully just going in dry on this shit league. I apologise profusely for the way I reacted to that statement yesterday. They’ve turned it round today. Where can I get a corrupt poster from Everton fans

@norfbanknicky: It’s been over 24 hours since the initial NFFC statement and the PGMOL still hasn’t responded. What does that tell you? There is zero accountability from their side whatsoever. They are bringing our game into disrepute and it needs to stop. Well done Nottingham Forest.

@nsno_83: Really funny this. Seem to be getting more and more wound up with each passing hour. Reckon Clattenburg will threaten to set The Gladiators on us by tomorrow morning.

@SonOfChelsea: The wider point Forest raise is the most important here. It has to be a collective effort by Premier League clubs to demand better from PGMOL. Liverpool ruined that chance earlier in the season, many clubs simply care about their own interests and that’s it.

@RhysWilliams79: I actually can’t believe this is all happening 😂😂😂😂 Just another level to anything we’ve done before and that’s saying something

@dmacook: This situation is absurd. If Attwell is indeed a Luton fan he shouldn’t have been anywhere near it. How on earth could PGMOL be so naive as to think this wouldn’t create suspicion? The whole organisation is staggeringly incompetent.