Mark Clattenburg described the performances of referee Anthony Taylor and VAR Stuart Attwell as “mind boggling” following Nottingham Forest’s 2-0 defeat at Everton yesterday.
Former Premier League referee Clattenburg, who now works for Forest as a consultant, was outraged after the visitors had three penalty shouts go against them at Goodison Park.
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Everton full-back Ashley Young was at the heart of all three, with Forest feeling he had committed fouls on Gio Reyna and Callum Hudson-Odoi, as well as handling a Hudson-Odoi cross.
A Forest tweet within five minutes of the final whistle said the club had “warned” the Professional Game Match Officials Board (PGMOL) that “the VAR is a Luton fan but they didn’t change him”.
Clattenburg expanded on Forest’s anger in his column in the Daily Mail. He wrote: “One of these errors would have been bad enough. 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.
“In a season where they have had to endure some egregious refereeing, this trip to Everton was as grim a game as they have encountered since returning to the Premier League.
“First, Ashley Young kicked the back of the foot of Giovanni Reyna. We have seen others win penalties in similar situations — Anthony Gordon for Newcastle against West Ham, for example — but not this time. No visit to the monitor. No penalty awarded.
Then, Callum Hudson-Odoi’s cross was stopped by the outstretched arm of Young. Handballs for making your body unnaturally bigger have routinely resulted in spot-kicks — Michael Keane was penalised for Everton against Liverpool, for example — but again, not this time. No visit to the monitor. No penalty awarded.
“Finally, Hudson-Odoi was bursting into the box when Young challenged him from behind, completely wiping him out. Referee Anthony Taylor apparently told the players on the pitch that both Young and Hudson-Odoi touched the ball. The television replays told a very different story and VAR Stuart Attwell had to send Taylor for a second look to correct his call. He didn’t. No visit to the monitor. No penalty awarded.”
Three extremely poor decisions – three penalties not given – which we simply cannot accept.
We warned the PGMOL that the VAR is a Luton fan before the game but they didn’t change him. Our patience has been tested multiple times.
NFFC will now consider its options.
— Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) April 21, 2024
Clattenburg repeated the club’s claim that as a supposed supporter of Forest’s relegation rivals Luton, Attwell should not have been put on VAR duty.
He said: “You will have seen the statement released by the club — how the PGMOL were contacted to warn that it was not appropriate for a Luton fan such as Attwell to play such a pivotal role in a massive match that would impact the relegation race.
“Certainly, I would not have risked this situation if I were the head of the referees and all of this could have been avoided had the PGMOL simply made smarter appointments.
“Referees do not make mistakes deliberately but this was mind-boggling to watch. Why Attwell did not send Taylor to his screen, only he will know.
“The PGMOL can acknowledge the errors if they want. The Key Match Incident panel can say Forest should have been awarded three penalties if they wish. Howard Webb can offer up an explanation on his Match Officials Mic’d Up television show with Michael Owen if he is so inclined.
“All of that is bound to happen, but none of it will help Nottingham Forest now.”
