Premier League referees may soon be allowed to explain some of their decisions to the crowd inside a stadium for the first time from next season. World football’s lawmakers, IFAB, have rules that forbid any discussions between match officials to be played live inside a stadium. However, the body responsible for appointing Premier League referees, Professional Game Match Officials Limited [PGMOL], is pushing for that to change in the future.
PGMOL chief Howard Webb has provided detailed analyses of the three contentious penalty incidents that occurred during the Everton vs. Nottingham Forest match, offering insights into refereeing decisions and the application of the rules.
PGMOL chief Howard Webb has explained how VAR prevented a clear and obvious error after Michael Oliver failed to award a penalty for Declan Rice’s kick on Ben Davies in the North London derby.
Following an incident involving Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana against Burnley, PGMOL chief Howard Webb explained that learnings throughout the season influenced the penalty decision. This incident follows an earlier one with a similar offense that went unpunished. The decision reflects the league’s commitment to consistency in officiating.
Nottingham Forest, reeling from Gary Neville’s scathing remarks on their statement criticizing the PGMOL, is mulling legal action against Sky. Forest’s criticism of referee Anthony Taylor’s three denied penalties and VAR Stuart Attwell’s refusal to review them drew Neville’s ire, comparing their statement to a mafia’s. The club also requested the release of audio from the penalty incidents, prompting referee analyst Mark Clattenburg to express concerns about VAR Attwell’s Luton fan status. Amidst this controversy, the FA and Premier League are launching investigations, potentially resulting in fines for Forest’s actions.
Nottingham Forest has publicly released a series of claims and counterclaims regarding the officiating during their defeat against Everton. The club has requested the release of audio recordings between the referee and VAR officials. The FA has requested explanations from Forest, the manager, and a former referee. The Premier League has expressed disappointment in Forest’s comments and will investigate. Forest has doubled down on their claims that external factors influenced the officiating in the match.
Nottingham Forest have requested the release of the audio of three VAR decisions that went against them in their defeat to Everton. The club also called for a change in how referees are selected, taking into account potential conflicts of interest.
Former players and pundits have condemned Nottingham Forest’s criticism of the PGMOL, claiming the club’s statement was ’embarrassing’ and ‘scandalous’. Forest claimed three ‘extremely poor’ decisions went against them in their match against Everton, and accused the VAR official of bias due to his support for Luton. Former referee Mark Clattenburg has also been criticized for his role as Forest’s referee analyst, with calls for him to resign.
Following their controversial defeat against Everton on Sunday, Nottingham Forest have formally asked the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) to release the audio recordings from the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system.
Forest had three penalty appeals rejected by on-field referee Anthony Taylor, which were backed up by VAR official Stuart Attwell. The relegation-threatened club has accused Attwell, a Luton fan, of bias and has requested the audio recordings to ensure transparency and uphold the integrity of the sport.
