The Football Assoication have ‘formally requested observations’ from Nottingham Forest – and Mark Clattenburg – following the explosive row over three penalties that were not given during their crunch clash at Everton.
Following what could be a significant 2-0 defeat at Goodison Park, Forest stunned the football world when a message posted on their ‘X’ account claimed VAR Stuart Atwell was a fan of relegation battlers Luton Town.
The visitors had seen three appeals for penalties turned down by referee Anthony Taylor with the decisions endorsed by Atwell at Stockley Park.
Following the final whistle, Forest posted: ‘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.’
The FA formally requested observations from Nottingham Forest over their explosive claims
The Midlands club issued an incendiary statement in the wake of their 2-0 defeat to Everton
The FA immediately launched an investigation.
Mail Sport understands a hefty fine, rather than a points deduction, may be in the pipeline.
Last night ex-Premier League referee Clattenburg, who works for Forest as a consultant, doubled down on the criticism in his Mail Sport column.
Branding the decisions ‘a joke’, he criticised the PGMOL for appointing Attwell as VAR, and repeated Forest’s claim that a ‘Luton fan such as Attwell’ should not have been involved.
‘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,’ he added.
‘You will have seen the statement released by the club – how the PGMOL were contacted to warn that it was not appropriate for a Luton fan such as Attwell to play such a pivotal role in a massive match that would impact the relegation race.’
The FA say they have now formally asked Forest, manager Nuno Espirito Santo, player Neco Williams and Clattenburg for their observations ‘as a result of their comments following their Premier League match against Everton on Sunday’. A spokesperson added: ‘We will provide any updates in due course.’