“VAR is a Luton fan” – Forest launches astonishing statement after Everton defeat

Nottingham forest have launched a stunning statement after the 2-0 defeat to Everton, criticizing the PGMOL’s decision to appoint “a Luton fan” to the VAR booth.

In a match described as the ‘Deduction Derby’, as both teams had been awarded points penalties for breaching the Premier League’s winning and sustainability rules, goals from Idrissa Gueye And Dwight McNeil earned the Toffees a potentially crucial three points at Goodison Park.

The result was 16th place Everton are four points ahead of Forest, who are one position lower, while the East Midlands side remain one point above the relegation zone.

©Reuters

During the game on Merseyside, three criminal cases were brought against Forest, all over incidents involving Everton Ashley Young.

What happened?

The experienced wide player seemed to be clipping Giovanni Reyna inside the penalty area during the first half, only for VAR to rule that not enough contact had been made to overrule the referee’s initial decision.

Should Nottingham Forest have been punished for this? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/U13SmkNgHf

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

Just before the break, Callum Hudson-Odoi‘s cutback hit Young’s outstretched arm, but the proximity meant no overrule occurred.

After half-time, Young became involved again with Hudson-Odoi, the on-field referee and VAR both ruling that he had made a fair challenge despite a tangle of legs.

After the full-time whistle ended, it took Forest’s social media account just five minutes to post their frustration over the aforementioned incidents.

Three extremely bad decisions – three penalties that were not given – that we simply cannot accept.

We warned the PGMOL before the match that the VAR is a Luton fan, but they didn’t change it. Our patience has been tested several times.

NFFC will now consider its options.

— Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) April 21, 2024

Although the official in question was not named in Forest’s statement, Stuart Atwell was the VAR official for this particular game.

As it stands, the PGMOL have yet to respond to Forest’s comments, but they come just a month after the former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg was appointed as the club’s referee analyst.

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