Nottingham Forest expressed strong dissatisfaction with the VAR official’s decisions on Twitter, criticizing the failure to award three penalties against Everton.
The club hinted at potential legal action against Sky Sports due to Gary Neville‘s harsh remarks, likening their post-match statement to a “mafia gang” and Jamie Carragher suggesting it resembled a fan’s pub talk.
Despite Idrissa Gueye and Dwight McNeil’s long-range goals securing Everton’s 2-0 victory, Forest’s frustration with Stuart Atwell’s appointment as VAR was palpable.
Nottingham Forest post on X formerly known as Twitter.
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
Gary Neville’s response to Nottingham Forest outburst.
Gary Neville’s response, made during his punditry on Sky Sports, incurred further ire from Forest’s leadership, prompting consideration of legal action against the broadcaster.
Neville said: “It’s like a mafia-gang statement. I mean, honestly, what the hell are they playing at? I think anybody and everybody would have some sympathy for Nottingham Forest over some of the decisions they’ve been given this season but they’ve grabbed defeat from victory in the way that they’ve handled it.”
“It’s like a petulant child, it’s embarrassing. Some of the things they’re saying, the inferring of cheating because there’s an official in VAR who’s a Luton fan, is a scandal and they will pay for that. They will regret that as a football club in terms of their history and how they present themselves. They’ve done it very well over a long period of time, they will regret that statement.”
The dispute escalated as Forest demanded public release of the audio from the rejected penalty appeals
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…
— Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) April 22, 2024
This move aimed to shed light on the contentious decisions and potentially challenge the VAR’s integrity.
Everton’s defender, Young, added a facetious touch to the situation by sharing an Instagram story featuring Justin Timberlake’s “Cry Me A River” track, implying amusement at Forest’s complaints.
Nottingham Forest exploring legal options against Sky Sports & Neville.
The fallout from Forest’s statement reverberated beyond the football pitch, as the club contemplated legal recourse against Neville and Sky Sports.
The discord highlighted broader concerns surrounding the use of VAR and its impact on the game’s fairness and transparency.
Ultimately, the clash between Nottingham Forest and Everton transcended the match itself, sparking debates over the accountability of VAR officials and the responsibilities of broadcasters and pundits.
In the era of social media and instant communication, such controversies have become increasingly common, shaping the narrative around football matches and prompting calls for greater transparency and accountability in officiating decisions.
