Heavy penalty to Nottingham for criticizing a referee

The English Football Federation (FA) imposed a high fine of 750,000 pounds (900,000 euros) at Nottingham Forest, in addition to being reprimanded for misconduct, as a result of a social media post in which he criticized a referee after their Premier League defeat against Everton last season.

Forest got angry because three penalty claims were rejected in the match he lost on April 21 2-0 and a few minutes after the match he released a statement on the social network X where he accused the video assistant referee (VAR), Stuart Attwell, of being a Luton Town fan.

Permanence is at stake

At that time Forest were involved in a battle to avoid relegation with Lutonbut eventually finished 17th in the standings, marking their permanence, while Luton were relegated after finishing second last.

“The club denies that the comments posted on social media indicate bias and/or call into question the integrity of the match referees and/or the video assistant referee and/or bring the game into disrepute,” the FA said in a statement. “An independent Regulatory Commission considered the accusation proved after the hearing and imposed sanctions on the club.”

The message of controversy

Forest told X that these were “three very bad decisions – three missed penalties – that we cannot accept.”

“We warned PGMOL (referee’s body) that VAR was a Luton fan before the game but they didn’t change it. Our patience has been tested on many occasions. “The NFFC (Nottingham Forest) will now consider their options.”

Forest will appeal the decision and asked for the fine to be suspended, but the FA rejected the request.

“We are particularly concerned because the FA, in its allegations, requested a penalty of ‘more than £1,000,000’,” Forest said in a statement. “We believe this request, along with the subsequent fine, is completely disproportionate and the club will be appealing the decision.”