Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has accused Nottingham Forest of a scarcity of “class” after the club launched a broadside on social media following Sunday’s controversial Premier League defeat at Everton.
Relegation-threatened Forest were angered by missing three penalties – all against ex-England defender Ashley Young – as they lost 2-0 at Goodison Park, and were later awarded by the referees’ body Professional Game Match Officials Ltd. Targeted.
The club described the choices as “grossly flawed” and said VAR official Stuart Atwell was Luton fans – the Heat are also fighting for survival – in a post on X shortly after the full-time whistle.
Responding to the post, Sky Sports pundit Carragher said: “It tells you where we at the moment are with the Premier League and the clubs.
“Sturt Atwell and Anthony Taylor have had a terrible day today, terrible, and so they needs to be rightly criticized for that and it could have real implications for Nottingham Forest.
“I’m disappointed, but he, from what I’ve just read on social media, is like a fan in the pub. It’s a shame for Nottingham Forest. I’m disappointed.
“That rubbish that VAR is a Luton fan – you’ll be able to’t get into that, if you happen to’re a football club you have got to indicate a bit of class.
“I get it, the frustration – the officials had a terrible day, terrible – but you can’t get involved, it’s nonsense.”
Fellow pundit Gary Neville said: “It’s appalling, the statement from this football club, and it tarnishes the club’s proud history.
“Presumed cheating, as suggested by a Luton fan to be a VAR official, is absolutely ridiculous.”
Forest brought within the services of former referee Mark Clattenburg as a consultant analyst in February after believing he had been on the incorrect end of a series of controversial decisions.
Neville believes that within the wake of the club’s statement, Clattenburg must step down or risk losing “all credibility” throughout the game.
“Mark Clattenburg should resign from his job at Nottingham Forest,” said the previous Manchester United defender.
Asked why, he continued: “Because if he sees those words come out, that calls into question the integrity and basically betrays a VAR official because he supports a certain club. , so he’s backing up what’s being said and he’ll basically lose all credibility, I think with the referees in the game.
“He should get up tonight and distance himself from that statement, in my view.”
But Clattenburg criticized the officials’ performance later Sunday.
Writing in the Daily Mail, Clattenburg described all three decisions as “jokes” and said Forest had been subjected to “some great refereeing” this season.
He added: “You can have seen the statement issued by the club – how PGMOL was contacted to warn that it was not appropriate for a Luton fan like Atwell to Play such a crucial role in an enormous match that may affect the relegation race.
“Certainly, I might not have risked this case if I were the pinnacle of referees and all this might have been avoided if PGMOL had simply made higher appointments.
That rubbish that VAR is a Luton fan – you’ll be able to’t get entangled, if you happen to’re a football club you have got to indicate a bit of class.
Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher
“Referees don’t make deliberate mistakes but it was mind-boggling to watch. Why Atwell didn’t send Taylor to his screen, only he will know.
Forrest’s post on X read: “Three very poor decisions – three penalties not given – which we simply cannot accept.
“We warned PGMOL that VAR was a Luton fan before the game, but they didn’t change it. Our patience has been tested time and time again.
“The NFFC will now consider its options.”
Former Forest forward Stan Collymore also criticized the move, which he fears could backfire.
Collymore posted on X: “Take the high road and be represented by the club secretary. It’s been accepted protocol for 150+ years.
“I guarantee the only thing social media and bosses will do is cause more problems. Take. The. High street. This is Nottingham. Forest. No A. Pub team.”
Credit : www.independent.co.uk
