Nottingham Forest have launched a complaint to the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) over the performance of referees in their recent match against Everton. The Championship side were left fuming after three key decisions went against them in the game, which ended in a 1-1 draw.
The first incident occurred in the first half when Forest defender Joe Worrall was adjudged to have fouled Everton’s Dominic Calvert-Lewin in the penalty area. The referee pointed to the spot and Calvert-Lewin converted the penalty to give Everton the lead. Forest were incensed by the decision, claiming that Worrall had won the ball cleanly and that the penalty should not have been awarded.
The second incident occurred in the second half when Forest’s Ryan Yates was sent off for a second yellow card. Yates had been booked earlier in the game for a foul on Calvert-Lewin, but Forest felt that the second yellow card was harsh and that the referee had not taken into account the fact that Yates had won the ball.
The third incident occurred in the dying minutes of the game when Forest were awarded a free-kick in a dangerous position. However, the referee then changed his mind and instead awarded a corner kick. Forest felt that the free-kick should have been given and that it could have been the difference between a draw and a win.
In response to these incidents, Forest have now launched a complaint to the PGMOL, claiming that the referee’s performance was not up to the required standard. The club are hoping that the PGMOL will take action and that the referee in question will be held accountable for his decisions.
It remains to be seen what action, if any, the PGMOL will take in response to Forest’s complaint. However, it is clear that the club are not happy with the performance of the referee and that they feel that the three key decisions went against them. It will be interesting to see how the PGMOL responds and whether or not they take any action against the referee in question.