Nottingham Forest were fined 750,000 pounds ($980,000) on Friday and warned about their future behavior for criticizing VAR official Stuart Attwell on social media last season. Forest were enraged when they were denied three penalties during a 2-0 defeat at Everton in April, as they fought to keep their Premier League position. Nuno Espirito Santo’s team was in a tough relegation battle with Everton, Luton, and numerous other clubs at the time. Following the game, Forest commented on their official X account:
“We informed the PGMOL before the game that the VAR (Attwell) is a Luton fan, but they did not change him. Our patience has been challenged several times. Forest refuted that their remarks regarding Attwell harmed the game by “implying bias and/or questioning the integrity of match officials”. However, an independent regulatory commission ruled the Football Association’s charge proven on Friday.
Forest responded by declaring that they would appeal the sentence. League fixture against Everton on Sunday 21 April,” the club’s statement said. Forest refuted that their remarks regarding Attwell harmed the game by “implying bias and/or questioning the integrity of match officials”.
“We are particularly concerned that in its arguments, the FA requested a punishment ‘over £1,000,000’. We believe that this request, along with the ensuing penalties, is completely unreasonable, and the club will appeal the judgment.” Forest eventually finished 17th in the top league last season, six points ahead of third-bottom Luton, who were relegated alongside Burnley and Sheffield United. They are 10th this season, having lost only once in their first seven league games.