Mark Clattenburg, the former Premier League referee, has come out swinging with a scathing critique of the officiating during Nottingham Forest’s 2-0 loss to Everton, labelling the penalty decisions against Forest as “a hat-trick of howlers”.
Nottingham Forest were incensed by what they saw as three missed penalty calls, prompting them to release an explosive statement on their social media channels post-match. It read: “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.” The Football Association is now conducting an investigation into the statement.
Clattenburg, who joined Nottingham Forest as a ‘referee analyst’ in February, has elaborated on his issues with the performance of match referee Anthony Taylor and VAR Stuart Attwell, both ex-colleagues.
He expressed his frustration to the Daily Mail, saying: “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.
The three penalty shouts saw Ashley Young’s felling of Giovanni Reyna go unpunished, a handball appeal from a Callum Hudson-Odoi cross waved away and no action taken for Young clattering into Hudson-Odoi.
Commenting on these three incidents, Clattenburg added: “These situations were precisely why video technology was brought into the Premier League and yet, Attwell did not send Taylor to his monitor.
“Not once. It was a hat-trick of howlers from the refereeing team and, unfortunately for Forest, a continuation of an unjust trend that has hampered their survival fight.”
Clattenburg claimed that he would have “not have risked this situation” of permitting Attwell to be the VAR amid claims that the 41-year-old supports Luton Town, whom are battling relegation against Forest.
“Referees do not make mistakes deliberately but this was mind-boggling to watch,” he continued. “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.”
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