An independent panel has told Nottingham Forest that they should have been awarded one penalty from their three unsuccessful appeals at Everton.
It prompted a furious reaction from Forest when referee Anthony Taylor and video assistant referee (VAR) Stuart Attwell failed to award them a single spot kick at Goodison Park, following three incidents that were followed by what the club described as ‘extremely poor decisions’ in a statement on social media.
In that post Forest warned they would ‘consider their options’ following the fixture on April 21.
Having reviewed the three incidents — all of which involved Everton defender Ashley Young — a key match incident panel decided that one decision was a clear error .
The panel, made up of three ex-players or coaches, a representative of the PGMOL and a Premier League representative, unanimously agreed that Taylor should have given a penalty when Young brought down Callum Hudson-Odoi from behind in the 55th minute.
It was felt that Young did not made any contact with the ball and that Hudson-Odoi had been brought down by the challenge with every panel member recommending that VAR should have intervened.
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Forest had made contact with the PGMOL prior to the game to raise concerns that Attwell was a fan of relegation rivals Luton Town — but did not go as far as calling for the Nuneaton official to be withdrawn from the game.
Forest are expected to face charges for their response following the game and their social media post that followed. The club’s fury stemmed right from the top, with owner Evangelos Marinakis instructing that the club make a public statement.
Head coach Nuno Espirito Santo, defender Neco Williams and the club’s referee analyst — and former Premier League official — Mark Clattenburg were all asked for their observations by the FA, following comments they made in the aftermath. The Premier League is also staging an investigation of their own.
Forest, who are one point ahead of 18th-placed Luton in the battle to avoid relegation, have been allowed to listen to the audio of the match officials’ conversations during the game at Goodison.
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Nottingham Forest, Stuart Attwell’s Luton link and a melodrama played out on social media
(Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
