- Nottingham Forest are at war with the Prem, the FA and PGMOL.
Nottingham Forest have made a formal request to the PGMOL for the VAR audio from their Everton defeat on Sunday to be released publicly.
Forest remain furious over the three penalty decisions dismissed by match referee Anthony Taylor during their 2-0 loss, with the on-field decisions endorsed by VAR Stuart Attwell.
The relegation-threatened club then released a statement accusing Attwell of being a Luton fan, saying they had “warned” the PGMOL before the match over the issue and said the club would “consider its options”.
A statement on Monday from Forest said: “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.”
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Soon after the Forest statement, the Football Association said it had “formally requested observations” from Forest, Espirito Santo, Williams and Clattenburg into their public comments.
Then the Premier League also issued its own statement, saying it was “extremely disappointed” with Forest’s comments and adding: “It is never appropriate to improperly question the integrity of match officials, and the nature of these comments means the Premier League will also be investigating the matter in relation to the League’s Rules.”
They demand that club officials act “with utmost good faith” to the League and that every club must “conduct itself in an abusive, derogatory, insulting, intimidating or offensive manner towards any (other) Club or the League”.
This prominent exchange of actions persisted as Forest reciprocated, urging the PGMOL to “amend its rule on allegiances to account for contextual rivalries in the league table, not just local rivalries”.
Taking again to X, formerly know as Twitter, the club’s latest statement included: “NFFC stands by its request for greater transparency around PGMOL appointments to further protect the game’s reputation, as intended in PGMOL’s existing approach to allegiances.
“Given the widespread and ongoing concerns, not merely of the fans, players and managers of this club but of many others and the pundits too, over VAR decisions throughout this season any move which boosts confidence in the system should be properly considered.”
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The PGMOL have not yet responded publicly. It is not the first time this season a Premier League club have made a formal request to receive an audio recording of an exchange between officials.
Forest could be charged under Prem Rules B.15 and B.16.