Nottingham Forest is evaluating their options following what they describe as “extremely poor” refereeing decisions during their 2-0 loss against Everton.
The club expressed discontent with the officiating, particularly highlighting three penalty incidents that they believe were overlooked.
In a statement on their social media platform, Nottingham Forest criticized the Professional Game Match Officials Board (PGMOL) and questioned the impartiality of the video assistant referee, identified as Stuart Attwell.
The club’s frustration was evident, mentioning multiple instances where they felt their patience was tested due to unfavorable decisions.
Forest’s post, shared shortly after the match’s conclusion at Goodison Park, did not mince words about their disappointment with the officiating, especially given their precarious position in the league standings.
When asked about the club’s stance, Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo echoed the sentiment, emphasizing that poor refereeing decisions have been a recurring issue for the team.
He stressed the need for fair officiating and expressed dissatisfaction with recent decisions going against Forest.
The Football Association is aware of Forest’s concerns and is reportedly investigating the matter. Additionally, BBC Sport is seeking comments from the PGMOL regarding the allegations made by Nottingham Forest.
The contentious penalty claims involved incidents with Everton’s Ashley Young, with Forest feeling aggrieved by what they perceived as missed fouls and handballs.
Nuno Santo reiterated his stance, stating that the video evidence supports their claims and expressing frustration with the inconsistency in officiating.
This incident adds to previous grievances Forest has had with refereeing decisions, including a complaint lodged earlier in the season and criticisms from their referee analyst, Mark Clattenburg, in past matches.
Forest’s vocal stance on the issue has sparked discussions about the standards of refereeing and the need for accountability in officiating bodies.
