Nottingham Forest have released a statement on Monday saying that they have submitted a formal request to the Professional Game Match Officials Ltd (PGMOL) to have the audio recordings released for the three incidents they believe should have resulted in penalties in their 2-0 defeat to Everton at Goodison Park on Sunday afternoon. All three incidents involved Everton defender Ashley Young. Nottingham Forest have submitted a formal request to the Professional Game Match Officials Ltd (PGMOL) to release the audio recordings between match officials for three incidents during their 2-0 defeat to Everton on Sunday.
Forest felt they had three cases for penalties in the bottom-of-the-table clash at Goodison Park, with all potential offences involving Everton defender Ashley Young.
Firsly, Forest felt Young made contact with Giovanni Reyna’s foot in the box in the 24th minute. The second was when a cross hit Young’s outstretched arm in the area 20 minutes later. The third saw Young pressure Callum Hudson-Odoi, who went down in the box. None of the incidents were given as penalties by match referee Anthony Taylor nor VAR official Stuart Attwell.
Forest said in a post on X on Monday that they have been in touch with refereeing governing body PGMOL to ask for the communication between the match officials to be released.
The post 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.”
On Sunday, Forest released a statement moments after losing to Everton claiming they were considering their options over “extremely poor” refereeing decisions.
Forest accused VAR official Attwell of being a Luton fan in a post on X, as well as contesting the three incidents which were not given as penalties.
The post read: “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 Premier League have responded to Forest’s statement made on Sunday, saying they are “extremely disappointed” in the club’s social media post and believe it is “never appropriate” to question Attwell’s “integrity”.
The statement on X said: “The Premier League was extremely disappointed to read the comments made by Nottingham Forest on social media yesterday, following its match against Everton.
“We note The FA has confirmed it will be investigating the club’s statement. 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.” When asked about Forest’s statement on Sunday, Forest head coach Nuno Espirito Santo said: “Yes I share (the view) because I saw the images. You see it so clearly, you don’t understand why the decision was against us.
“I honestly think the situation with Gio Reyna in the first half was a clear one and the handball, we can ask because if not, the ball goes to (Chris) Wood and there is an incident with Callum and Ashley Young.
“I share the feeling of the club because it is not only this game, it has been a while for poor decisions against us. It is not an excuse but we are not comfortable with the referees.”
Forest are currently one place above the Premier League relegation zone in 17th on 26 points, while 16th-placed Everton are on 30 points following their win on Sunday.
Forest’s remaining Premier League fixtures this season are against Manchester City (April 28), Sheffield United (May 4), Chelsea (May 11) and Burnley on May 19.