The head of Premier League referees, Howard Webb has confirmed that Nottingham Forest should have been awarded at least a penalty in the game against Everton.
Forest believed that they should have been awarded three penalties in the game they went on to lose 2-0 against the Merseyside club. All three claims were turned down by the referee of the day, Antony Taylor with the video assistant referee ( VAR), Stuart Attwell also not intervening in the incident.
A few minutes after the game, Forest released a statement on its official website alleging that Attwell was a fan of their relegation rivals Luton Town. Recall that Forest also released another statement after the game stating that the VAR audio conversation should be released to the public. The statement read as follows;
“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 Young’s challenge on Giovanni Reyna (24th minute), Ashley Young’s handball (44th minute), and Ashley Young’s challenge on Callum Hudson-Odoi (56th minute). We firmly advocate for the broader football community and supporters to have access to the audio and transcript for full transparency, ensuring the integrity of our sport is upheld.”
However, it is yet to be seen if the Premier League will punish the club for doubting the competence of Stuart Attwell or for bringing the integrity of the game to disrepute.
