Nottingham Forest

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The issues around decisions made by officials in Nottingham Forest's defeat by Everton were "a mess up rather than a conspiracy", according to fan and podcaster Rich Ferraro.

The Reds were left furious after being denied what they believed to be three penalties and it sparked an angry post on the club's X account, where they said they were "considering their options" over "extremely poor" refereeing decisions.

Forest have since released a statement in which they say they have "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."

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, Ferraro said: "There are a few factors in this situation. Firstly the fact that it was made on Twitter straight after the final whistle and it was instant and emotional. That is the thing a lot of people feel uneasy about, whether that be Forest supporters or otherwise.

"However, they have released a statement this afternoon saying we would like to hear the audio, because it does seem clear there were some odd decisions being made.

"I would also throw in there as a fan, and the vast majority of people involved in the game as fans and coaches would say, it is a mess up rather than a conspiracy."

The game was a key fixture in the battle to avoid relegation, with the 2-0 defeat leaving Forest 17th in the table and one point above Luton, who occupy the final spot in the relegation zone.

"We're not going to get the points back and that is the trouble," added Ferraro.

"I make it that it is around nine matches we have had contentious decisions and in six of those the conclusion has been from panels or pundits that Forest were hard done by. That can make a difference between staying up and going down.

"If Forest do go down, yes you can look at the stewardship of the club and all those factors, but on the other hand you don't lose points in that many matches out of your control and not get annoyed about it."

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Former Premier League referee Peter Walton says Nottingham Forest's statement questioning the integrity of the officials during their defeat to Everton on Sunday is "poor" and an "integrity issue".

"It is unprecedented and it shouldn't be allowed at all," he told BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast. "If it came from a fan maybe you could understand it but coming from an official club website is poor.

"The issue here is if the referee is useless he's useless but he's not a cheat and it's an integrity issue. That's why our league and our referees are valued around the world because we just don't have that issue.

"There may well be issues around the world where leagues can influence the appointments and assignments of match officials but in Britain that does not happen and we should nip this in the bud straight away.

"With Mark [Clattenburg] being there in an advisory capacity I'm sure they have listened to some advice they've given them. Whoever is giving that type of advice is clearly wrong in terms of looking at that core, integrity value there.

"Some referees make wrong decisions, I made wrong decisions in my career but never on purpose.

"One thing we should never have questioned is our impartiality towards teams."

Listen to the full chat on BBC Sounds from 07:30

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BBC chief footballer writer Phil McNulty answers your questions on all things Premier League.

Matt from Birmingham asked: Surely an accusation of bias, like that made by Nottingham Forest's X account, requires some evidence beyond "they support Luton"? Or are they just trying to deflect from their performance?

Phil answered: Have to be very careful answering this one, Matt, but there is a clear inference from Forest that being a “Luton fan” influenced decisions taken at Everton yesterday. This suggests the integrity of the officials is compromised and that simply cannot be allowed to stand.

In all our time as football fans we have accused officials of being incompetent against our own team (well, I assume we have) in moments of frustration, but there can never be any suggestion of something deeper.

I do not believe for one second that is the case when it comes to officialdom in this country.

I was at Goodison and actually feel if Nuno Espirito Santo had simply come out and said Nottingham Forest had been on the end of some really rough decisions plenty would have sympathised. I certainly would. Now a lot of that sympathy has been diluted by the post-match statement.

On Forest’s performance - they were actually very poor in what was a pretty poor game.

Craig from Nottingham: Surely there is a reason that referees have to provide the team they support to the PGMOL? Do you think it was an own goal if the VAR ref has declared being a Luton fan in such a vital clash as Everton v Forest? Would it be OK if a Liverpool supporting ref was part of the officiating team for Arsenal v Man City?

Phil answered: Can I answer this question with a question? First of all I would never question the integrity of an official – but why would any Luton Town fan (and I am talking generally not specifically about officials) want Everton to win that game more than Nottingham Forest yesterday? It actually doesn’t even make sense.

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Nicola Pearson
BBC Sport journalist

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Monday, 22 April marks Earth Day - a day in the international calendar that provides the opportunity to reflect, make change and understand more about sustainability and the impacts of climate change.

Sport and football are not immune to these issues and there has been increasing awareness of their relationship to the environment over the past few years.

Football has a global footprint and, as it continues to grow, it has been subject to questions and criticism over some of the decisions that could hinder efforts in reducing its impact, including expanding Uefa cup competitions and the men's Fifa World Cup.

The effects of adverse weather related to climate change has been increasingly felt, with a study last year showing extreme weather has affected 40% of football players and spectators.

But, football and its fanbase also have an opportunity to be part of the solution, with clubs like Forest Green Rovers showing how the sport's environmental footprint can be reduced.

We have taken a look into some of the key things Nottingham Forest are doing to become more sustainable:

• The club are in the process of becoming a signatory to the UN Sports for Climate Action Framework.

• No plastic straws, single-use cups, cutlery, stirrers or sauce sachets are available within the stadium.

• The club have opened an 'energy generating' fan zone that features solar panels expected to generate and store about 12,000kWh of energy every year.

• Supporters can receive a discount in the club store if they have travelled to a home first-team fixture on public transport.

• They measured waste during October 2023 and January 2024 and achieved zero waste going to landfill.

One important area all Premier League clubs can address to reduce their carbon footprint is their travel, as shown in BBC Sport research.

Why is this important?

Football For Future is a non-profit organisation working with stakeholders across football to create a more environmentally sustainable culture and founder Elliot Arthur-Worsop told BBC Sport: "Climate change will be the defining challenge of our generation, and the future of football will be affected too.

"We're already seeing the impacts, with more than 120,000 English grassroots games being called off annually, and major tournaments such as the World Cup and Afcon being moved because of extreme weather.

"Beyond the pitch, the climate crisis threatens livelihoods and global food and water security.

"With its unparalleled social influence, football has an opportunity to inspire global climate action, from micro-behaviours to essential policy change."

What would you like to see your club do more (or less) of to be greener?

Nick Mashiter
Senior football news reporter

Minutes after the final whistle of Sunday's defeat at Everton, a tweet from Nottingham Forest's official X account called into question the appointment of VAR official Stuart Attwell.

While it never mentioned Attwell by name, the inference was clear and Mark Clattenburg's criticism added extra weight to Forest's discontent.

Having been denied three penalties, the social media post said the club are "considering their options" over "extremely poor" refereeing decisions they felt went against them.

Yet BBC Sport has been told Forest did not express they had an issue with Attwell's involvement prior to the game.

That Clattenburg was appointed the club's referee analyst in February had already signalled Forest’s dissatisfaction with decisions this season.

In August, they lodged an official complaint with the PGMOL over the performance of officials in the 3-2 defeat at Manchester United, when Attwell was the referee.

Forest were also unhappy when Ivan Toney scored a free kick in Brentford's 3-2 win in January, with the striker moving the ball, and the referee's disappearing foam which marked the spot, to get a better angle.

They were fuming in March when Paul Tierney wrongly allowed Liverpool to restart play in injury time after a collision between two of their players when Forest had possession – Darwin Nunez then scored a 99th-minute winner.

Owner Evangelos Marinakis stormed to the side of the pitch while the club and coach Steven Reid were sanction by the Football Association for their reactions.

Those feelings towards officials and decisions have been simmering all season and any FA charge following Sunday's post is unlikely to lighten the mood.

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Former Nottingham Forest defender Brian Laws says the club's social media post after the match showed their "desperation".

The Reds released a highly critical statement of decisions made during their 2-0 defeat by Everton on Sunday and accused the VAR official of being a "Luton fan".

Reacting to the post following the game on Sunday, Laws said on BBC Radio Nottingham: "For that statement to come out immediately after the game, obviously the are not happy at all. I just think it is very early to put that out, but one that is a huge, huge statement.

"It is pretty damning, it is almost like a threat. It is one that the Premier League and the FA will certainly be looking at and it is one of the last things you want to put out on top of having points deducted. There could be some real repercussions to that.

"Forest are in such difficult position and the desperation is coming out and this is desperate. Do we really need to do this at this moment in time? At the end of the day we have lost the game, you have to digest that but you can't pin the defeat on the PGMOL."

In the post on the club's official X (formerly known as Twitter) account, Forest also said they were "considering their options".

"I don't know what the legal side is or what change or outcome they can get from it," added Laws. "What it does mean is they are accusing and that is really strong word when you start accusing somebody and you have to have evidence of that and it is really difficult to provide.

"It is one thing to be dissatisfied with how the outcomes of these key match incidents come about but it is another when you are accusing an official. It is very, very strong and I'm not sure it is the right procedure to go down."

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

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BBC Sport has been told Nottingham Forest made contact with PGMOL on Friday to highlight the potential for Nuno Espirito Santo being asked about Stuart Attwell’s appointment in his weekly press conference that afternoon.

As it turned out, the subject was not raised in the press conference.

It is being stressed that at no point were PGMOL asked to change the appointment or that Forest had an issue with Attwell’s involvement in the game.

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Former Nottingham Forest striker Robert Earnshaw has defended the club's statement calling into question the integrity of the officials for Sunday's 2-0 defeat at Everton.

"Incredible to be honest with you," he told BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast. "When we read it we were all like 'wow, that's a real powerful statement'.

"I think the way it was done probably wasn't the way we all would have liked but it's a very, very powerful message.

"From Forest's point of view on what they've seen yesterday, they had three clear penalties so it is absolutely mind-boggling.

"In a time where VAR is supposedly so critical, that the VAR did not communicate to the referee to view the possible penalties is the reason why it all happened. Forest should have had penalties. VAR is the controversy here.

"Forest have come out before the game and they said, 'we feel you should change the referee (VAR)' because of this reason that they felt he was possibly a Luton fan and there might be some bias here.

"I think the other mind-boggling thing we have to talk about is why the VAR was not changed if that was a concern. Usually if before the game a club brings this up a conversation is had. They did not change it, the game went and this happens where three clear penalties were not given.

"That this happens after Forest said what they said is really controversial.

"The way it's been handled through 'X' is not the right way, it should have been a club statement. But, this is a monumental time and action that has happened."

Listen to the full chat on BBC Sounds from 06:20

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Former Everton defender Phil Jagielka has voiced his confusion around Nottingham Forest's statement, which claimed VAR official Stuart Attwell was a "Luton fan", following their 2-0 defeat to Everton.

"I'm trying to picture myself as a Luton fan and ask what the best outcome would have been for me," Jagielka told Match of the Day 2.

"They have still got everything to play for, so it was technically in their own hands if Everton lost [and Nottingham Forest won]. So I get where they [Forest] are coming from, because if he is a Luton fan then he probably shouldn't have been on the game.

"But, as far as the outcome of the game goes, it doesn't really suit Luton at all - so I'm a bit bamboozled to be honest."

Former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy added: "Well my understanding is that the officials, when they start the job in the Premier League, put their team down if they support a team and they are kept away from those.

"I might be wrong, but I think that is right."

He also discussed Gio Reyna's penalty appeal: "I think the discontent from Forest on that one [Reyna's penalty appeal] is because we have seen so many given for that.

"I actually don't think it is [a penalty]. I have said this and been consistent all throughout the season, even when they have been given, but if you plant your foot after you have been kicked then it is not enough to send you down.

"So I actually think they got that one right, even though I understand their disappointment because others have been given for the same thing."

Lastly, Murphy gave his opinion on Forest's third penalty appeal: "It is a penalty. It is a stonewall penalty because he gets to the ball first and Ashley Young brings him down.

"What is key for me is the referee indicates that Ashley Young gets the ball. When he verbalises that to VAR, all they have to do is watch the replays and tell him that he didn't get the ball and you are going to have to either give a penalty or look at it yourself.

"How that didn't happen is beyond my comprehension, because I saw his hand movements say that he has got the ball. He didn't get the ball, we can see that clearly, so why did VAR then not say to him that he got it wrong?"

Catch up on Match of the Day 2 here

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In August, Nottingham Forest lodged a complaint with the PGMOL over the performance of the officials in their 3-2 defeat at Manchester United.

Then in March, Mark Clattenburg - the former referee who is the Reds' referee analyst - criticised the officiating in the build-up to Liverpool's dramatic winner at the City Ground.

On Sunday night, the Daily Mail's website published a column by Clattenburg defending the club's response to the decisions made during the defeat at Everton.

He wrote: "One of these errors would have been bad enough. Three was a joke, and that is why Nottingham Forest were left feeling victimised after another defeat in which zero big decisions went their way.

"It was a hat-trick of howlers from the refereeing team and, unfortunately for Forest, a continuation of an unjust trend that has hampered their survival fight."

Forest are also still hoping to get some respite from their appeal against the deduction of four points for breaching profit and sustainability rules.

BBC Radio 5 Live's football correspondent John Murray said: "Clattenburg was once considered the best referee we had in this country. He has now got a role with Nottingham Forest - you would think he would be very much involved with this.

"So Nottingham Forest with that statement will be confident with what they are saying, but I still think it is a remarkable thing to say.

"The FA, Howard Webb and the PGMOL - it will certainly ruffle feathers from them. What they have to say about this is the next step."

Former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy told Match of the Day 2 it was "a bizarre situation that has has shocked us all", adding: "There was some poor decision making, but the response is strange.

"I have always felt our referees try to do the best they can. There has been a lot of bad officiating and incompetency this season, and today was the same. "

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Former Manchester City defender Nedum Onuoha says he "understands Nottingham Forest's frustration" after a club statement claimed they "warned" PGMOL that "the VAR is a Luton fan" before Sunday's defeat at Everton.

The video assistant referee, who was Stuart Attwell, did not intervene for three contentious penalty claims against Ashley Young, which were all waived away by on-pitch referee Anthony Taylor.

"They obviously wanted to get a particular message out," Onuoha told BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast.

"The fact it was released five minutes after the game means they were planning to send that after the instances happened.

"The message isn't for the general public, it's for their own fans. Their fans will believe this is part of some conspiracy against them, which I disagree with - but I also understand the frustration.

"For example, if the best referee in the world is English and England make it to the European Championship final, they can't referee that game because it wouldn't be right - even though they're the best referee.

"From a Forest standpoint, they're deeply concerned by the nature of decisions that have gone against them. Maybe they have got the rougher end of the stick.

"Nobody will care, they'll be the butt of jokes and some pundits will say someone has to lose their job - but these decisions are huge.

"If you get relegated it's a life-changing thing for the whole football club."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

We asked for your views on Everton's 2-0 win over Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on Sunday.

Here are some of your answers:

Everton fans

Blue: A scrappy, nervous game but a result to cherish. The much-needed three points didn’t come easy as Forest gave all they had. Everton’s play was no better but the result is all that matters. The fans will sleep a little easier - but I’m sure, with the way this team play under Dyche, there will be more anxiety before the season ends.

Joe: It's a really big win for many reasons - shaking off the dreadful 6-0, two points deductions, possible administration. We're not safe (in every possible meaning) but we appear to have some breathing space. I don't think we'll see a safe Everton until we move into the new stadium. But at least we're fighting again!

Ian: As an Everton fan, I'm grateful for the three points - but we were fortunate with the penalty decisions. Had they been against us, we would be screaming! On to Wednesday night.

Stephen: It doesn’t matter if it was a scruffy game as long as we won. Three points and a clean sheet after last week’s drubbing by Chelsea. Two more wins and we should be safe. If the boardroom sorts itself out we should look forward to less stress for next season.

Nottingham Forest fans

David: Three awful penalty decisions but I’m appalled that the club are suggesting Stuart Attwell made decisions because he’s a Luton fan. I want nothing to do with such a comment, which is very embarrassing.

Henry: In the past few games we haven’t pressed as high as our opponent and it has left them free to walk in to our half and us camped on the edge of our own box for too long. I don’t see the right movement or passing in the final third, and even when we have the movement up front we don’t make the through passes and end back with the keeper.

Sim: This wasn’t about Forest’s performance as once again the match was dominated by the decisions of the officials. I’m not surprised that the club has posted their statement.

Rob: Losing to Everton sums up the season for Forest. Conceding too easily, missed chances and then blaming the ref and VAR. Something has to change for Forest to stay up.

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The Telegraph's Luke Edwards believes the Nottingham Forest statement following defeat at Everton was "several steps too far" despite "understanding their anger and frustration".

Forest say they are "considering their options" over "extremely poor" refereeing decisions in Sunday's 2-0 defeat at Goodison Park after three penalty claims were waved away and not given via VAR.

"Nottingham Forest definitely have a case to feel extremely aggrieved that they didn't get at least one penalty in that game," Edwards told BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast. "I thought there were at least two.

"That's two penalties in an absolutely crucial game in terms of deciding if Forest stay in the Premier League against a team who are directly above them in the table.

"I get all that. I understand the anger and frustration. It is a recurring theme with the officiating in this country that we are constantly talking about VAR officials. Forest feel like they have been on the end of several bad calls this season.

"I get all that emotion. But for a club to put out a statement on its official X feed five minutes after a game basically accusing the officials of cheating and questioning their integrity means we're in dangerous territory. We're in very, very choppy waters when a football club feels they have to do that.

"That's over the top. That's dangerous.

"When they say they're 'looking at their options' does that mean they'll start suing people? Where are we going?

"Although I have a lot of sympathy for the situation they were in, that statement is far too inflammatory.

"Forest have taken it several steps too far."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Mark Chapman introduces highlights and analysis from Sunday's four Premier League fixtures.

If you missed Match of the Day 2, you can catch up on the action on BBC iPlayer.

And you can watch highlights of Saturday's games here.

Listen back to Sunday's BBC Radio 5 Live and 5 Sports Extra match commentaries in full:

Everton v Nottingham Forest

Fulham v Liverpool

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Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo to BBC MOTD: "We started the game well, we had the first moments of the game, the first chances. We were not able to achieve what we wanted. We fight but we didn't play good enough.

"We managed the offensive game of Everton but two goals from outside the box they were able to score."

On the penalty decisions that went against his side: "Three of them. It's a very poor decision from Anthony Taylor and VAR. It's happening to us over and over again. It's difficult for us to tell the players to ignore it and keep on going. It's very clear. Poor decisions."

On the statement Forest Released: "It's been a while that we've been in this situation. Clear penalties not given. It's understandable. We feel they are taking away things from us so it's difficult. Today it was very poor.

On claims a member of the VAR team is a Luton fan: "We knew and we made a formal complaint. They didn't do it. It's here to see so it's not good."

• Everton have picked up six points in their last three Premier League matches (W2 L1), as many as they did in their previous 13 games combined (D6 L7).

• Since the start of last season, Nottingham Forest have lost more Premier League away games than any other side (24), picking up 12 fewer away points than any other ever-present side in that time (18).

• Each of Everton’s last three Premier League goals have been scored from outside the box (Calvert-Lewin vs Burnley, Gueye & McNeil today) – before today only three of their last 40 goals had come from outside the area.

• All 17 of Dwight McNeil’s Premier League goals have been scored with his left-foot – only Stuart Pearce has ever scored more left-footed goals in Premier League history (20).

• Only the bottom three sides have recorded fewer Premier League clean sheets this season than Nottingham Forest (4). Goalkeeper Matz Sels has just one clean sheet in his 12 appearances so far.

Everton took a vital step towards Premier League survival with victory over fellow strugglers Nottingham Forest in a scrappy affair at Goodison Park.

Idrissa Gueye and Dwight McNeil scored with long-range efforts in each half to settle the battle between the two clubs who have suffered Premier League points deductions this season - with appeals pending that could still shape their fate as the campaign reaches its climax.

Everton have now moved five points clear of the relegation zone with a game in hand on Luton Town but Forest remain deep in trouble, only a point ahead of the Hatters.

Were you at the match or did you follow it from elsewhere?

Everton fans - let us know your thoughts on the game here

How did you rate the side's performance, Forest fans?

Follow all of the reaction here