Nottingham Forest has accused VAR Stuart Attwell of being a Luton fan following what they believed were three unfair decisions during Sunday’s 2-0 Premier League loss to Everton.
The club took to social media to express their frustration, stating that they had warned the PGMOL beforehand about Attwell’s allegiances but their concerns were not addressed. Forest claimed that their patience had been tested multiple times this season and they were considering their options.
The team felt hard done by when referee Anthony Taylor did not award penalties for challenges on Giovanni Reyna and Callum Hudson-Odoi by Ashley Young, who also appeared to have gotten away with a handball. VAR Attwell upheld all of the referee’s decisions, which further enraged Forest.
Forest head coach Nuno Espirito Santo supported the club’s statement, agreeing that the decisions were unjust. Although he stopped short of questioning Attwell’s impartiality, he expressed frustration at consistently being on the wrong end of bad calls.
While it is not the first time Forest has been upset with refereeing decisions, their recent actions have prompted an investigation from the Football Association. Despite the controversy, Everton managed to secure a vital win, moving five points clear of the relegation zone with goals from Idrissa Gueye and Dwight McNeil.
The day was marred by an injury to Everton striker Beto, who was knocked unconscious in a collision. Manager Sean Dyche provided a positive update on Beto’s condition and was pleased with the team’s response following a heavy defeat to Chelsea.
Overall, the match was a mix of drama, controversy, and important victories for both teams involved.
