Furious Forest want release of VAR audio for penalty claims
But Premier League is ‘extremely disappointed’ by club’s attack on VAR Attwell
Nottingham Forest have called on the Professional Game Match Officials Ltd (PGMOL) to release the audio of conversations between the match officials during their defeat by Everton on Sunday, while the Premier League has said it is “extremely disappointed” by the club’s complaint that the video assistant referee (VAR) was a supporter of relegation rivals Luton.
Forest believe they should have been awarded three penalties during the match. Ashley Young was at the centre of the three incidents. There were two alleged fouls and a handball that the on-field referee, Anthony Taylor, did not deem worthy of an offence and which the VAR, Stuart Attwell, did not intervene to overturn as Everton won 2-0 to leave Forest in 17th, one point and one place above Luton.
“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 said in a statement.
“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.”
The FA is investigating Forest’s claim about Attwell and asked for further observations from the manager, Nuno Espírito Santo, the full-back Neco Williams and the club’s referee consultant, Mark Clattenburg, who all made outspoken comments about the denial of the penalty claims after the defeat.
Nuno backed the original club statement made on Sunday saying: “I don’t understand the reason and the decision of [referee] Anthony Taylor and VAR Stuart Attwell”, while Williams said: “It is three clear, blatant penalties. Every single week, this happens now. We are getting decisions against us, and I don’t know why. Is it because we are a lower bottom-half team?”
The Premier League also announced its own investigation, as well as expressing dismay at the club’s comments. An official statement read: “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