Nottingham Forest Files Formal Complaint Regarding Officials in Match Against Manchester United

Nottingham Forest Lodge Complaint over Referee Performance

Last updated: 32 minutes ago | From the section: Nottm Forest

Nottingham Forest have officially lodged a complaint with the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) regarding the performance of the refereeing team in their recent 3-2 defeat against Manchester United. The controversial decisions made by referee Stuart Attwell and his colleagues have left Forest boss Steve Cooper biting his tongue.

The frustration felt by Nottingham Forest officials was palpable as they left Old Trafford, firmly believing that several pivotal decisions heavily influenced the outcome of the game. One such decision saw Forest skipper Joe Worrall receiving a red card midway through the second half for fouling Bruno Fernandes, despite central defensive partner Willy Boly being nearby. To compound matters, Attwell awarded Manchester United a penalty for a foul committed by Danilo on Marcus Rashford – a decision deemed excessively harsh by many spectators. Fernandes converted from the spot to seal victory for Manchester United.

While Video Assistant Referee (VAR) Robert Jones reviewed both incidents, he ultimately agreed with Attwell’s on-field calls. Now, within the next 24 hours, Nottingham Forest will decide whether to escalate their complaint directly to PGMOL.

This incident comes at an already challenging time for PGMOL due to Mike Dean’s admission that he failed to instruct Anthony Taylor to review Marc Cucurella having his hair pulled during last season’s London derby between Chelsea and Tottenham because they were friends.

Forest Boss Expresses Disappointment but Remains Diplomatic

In a post-match interview, Forest manager Steve Cooper carefully chose his words: “In games like this, you expect fairness and adherence to the rules. I don’t want to jeopardize my position by saying too much, but I must admit that the speed at which some decisions were made surprised me. Sometimes, in these defining moments, it’s best to hold your thoughts back.”

A Controversial Match That Started with Promise

The match between Nottingham Forest and Manchester United began with high intensity as Forest stormed into an early 2-0 lead within just four minutes of kickoff.

However, the game soon took a different turn following a series of contentious calls from referee Stuart Attwell.

Forests’ Complaint Puts Spotlight on Referee Performance

Nottingham Forest’s official complaint against the refereeing team has once again ignited discussions around referee performance and decision-making processes. The outcome of this complaint could have far-reaching consequences for future matches.