Nottingham Forest have written to refereeing chief Howard Webb for clarification around Ivan Toney’s first-half goal in Saturday’s 3-2 defeat at Brentford.
By Olisa Obi
In his return from his 8 months ban, Toney scored from a free kick in which he moved the ball before his free-kick, his goal made it 1-1.
He wiped away referee Darren England’s vanishing foam as the official lined up the wall.
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The Officials did not correct the situation before Toney scored.
He later claimed he was allowed to move the ball by “half a yard either side“.
However that was dismissed by Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo, who claimed the ball had clearly been “displaced“.
It is understood Forest have written to Webb, head of officiating body Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), demanding to know how the incident was missed by all the on-pitch officials.
They are also questioning why VAR did not intervene for what they regard as a “serious missed incident” which led to a goal.
Although it fair to point out that the video assistant referee (VAR) protocol set by International Football Association Board, which sets the game’s rules, says VAR has no authority to intervene on restarts, which referee Darren England relayed to Forest staff.
Forrest move has been met with criticism from former players and pundits alike one of such is former England and Manchester United defender Gary Neville who said, “clubs writing to the PGMOL is embarrassing” and “Liverpool and Arsenal started it and set the precedent of this nonsense.”
“It’s in the clubs interests to work with them to make them improve. This public posturing is unnecessary. Speak to them and email them to gain clarification in private but they don’t have to announce they’ve written to the PGMOL.
“It’s not going to change the decision and it’s not going to help anyone. It just adds to the pile on.”
Also football pundit Chris Sutton questioned the logic of Forest’s actions in contacting Webb adding that “What about taking responsibility yourselves Nottingham Forest?“
