Nottingham Forest Calls for VAR Audio Release After Controversial Everton Defeat

Nottingham Forest has lodged a formal plea to the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) seeking a public release of the VAR audio from their controversial 2-0 defeat against Everton. The club's request follows three denied penalty appeals during the match, the decisions approved by match referee Anthony Taylor and VAR Stuart Attwell.

The club accuses Attwell of being a Luton Town enthusiast and claims they had previously "warned" the PGMOL about this matter. They are considering their options following this contentious match.

Nottingham Forest stated: "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 demand includes the release of the discussions concerning three incidents involving Ashley Young in the 24th, 44th, and 56th minutes.

The club believes that the football community and supporters deserve access to the audio and transcripts for complete transparency to uphold the sport's integrity. The FA and Premier League are also investigating the matter separated, following responses to comments made by Nottingham Forest on social media.

Former Premier League referee, Clattenburg, a consultant for Forest, dubbed the penalty decisions a "joke" and criticized the appointment of Attwell as VAR. He reiterated Forest's claim that a Luton fan like Attwell should never have been involved in the game. He wrote: "Three was a joke, and that is why Nottingham Forest were left feeling victimised after another defeat in which zero big decisions went their way."

The incident has sparked an intense debate, with Sky Sports' Jamie Carragher asserting that the FA needs to "come down hard on Forest." Former Premier League referee Mike Dean also commented on the issue, calling Forest's accusations 'astounding,' and asked why they hadn't complained about being refereed by Attwell earlier in the season.