Howard Webb admits Nottingham Forest should have been awarded at least one penalty in their 2-0 Premier League loss to Everton earlier in April.
The Tricky Trees had three appeals waved away by referee Anthony Taylor and VAR official Stuart Attwell did not choose to overturn any of his decisions to the fury of the players and fans.
Read more of our football news stories here:
Enrique plays down favourites tag ahead of Champions League showdown
Federico Valverde regrets not taking penalty against Man City
United States and Mexico withdraw 2027 Women’s World Cup bid
PGMOL chief Webb, who is in charge of the developing technology involved in England’s top flight, believes the outcome may have been different had Taylor been sent over to the pitchside monitor, particularly for Young’s challenge on Callum Hudson-Odoi.
Speaking on Match Officials Mic’d Up, he said: “We would have preferred an intervention on this situation for the referee to go to the screen to make a judgement for himself in this situation and probably would have come out with a different outcome if that would’ve happened.
Howard Webb admits Nottingham Forest should have been awarded a penalty in their controversial game against Everton.pic.twitter.com/cJhKpXrp3Y
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) April 30, 2024
“The first two we felt were really subjective calls. The first one involved some contact from Ashley Young on Gio Reyna.
“There was contact, the referee saw that. We didn’t feel it was impactful enough to penalise…this was one where there was minimal contact.
“The second one was a handball penalty situation. The ball hits Ashley Young’s arm, he’s moving as he tries to close a cross down from short distance and the referee deemed that the arm was in a natural position and the VAR check completed that.
“We thought that both of those situations were in line with our expectations.”
Nottingham Forest released a scathing attack on VAR and Attwell following their defeat to the Toffees, which is being investigated by the FA.
“I fully expect them to be charged and punished.”
Rob Dorsett dissects the decision not to award Nottingham Forest a penalty against Everton and the consequences for Forest for their statement. pic.twitter.com/m6uOxXL1ZS
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) April 30, 2024
Nuno Espirito Santo’s side sit one point above the relegation zone and accused the man on VAR of being biased as a Luton Town fan – who sit one place below the Midlands club.
