Nottingham Forest: Club Seeks VAR Audio Following Loss to Manchester City
In the wake of their recent defeat to Manchester City, Nottingham Forest has formally requested access to the audio recordings from the Video Assistant Referee (VAR). This request comes as the club contemplates lodging a formal complaint regarding the officiating during the match that ended 2-1 in favor of Manchester City.
The defeat has left Forest feeling particularly aggrieved with referee Rob Jones and his decisions throughout the game, especially concerning pivotal moments that they believe influenced the outcome. After the match, head coach Sean Dyche expressed his frustration, highlighting that Rayan Cherki's decisive goal in the 83rd minute should have been disallowed due to a foul committed against Morgan Gibbs-White. Dyche also argued that City defender Ruben Dias deserved a second yellow card for his actions after halftime.
"In my opinion, this was such an easy game for the referee to manage, and making the right call with VAR should have been straightforward," Dyche remarked after the match. "It’s disappointing to be in a position where we have to discuss the impact of officiating on the game when our performance was commendable. However, the officials clearly had an effect on the result, which was evident to everyone in the stadium and those watching from home."
During the match, Forest players voiced their concerns directly to referee Jones, asserting that Gibbs-White was pushed by Nico O'Reilly while defending a corner, which prevented him from blocking Cherki's winning goal. Dyche elaborated, stating, "Morgan Gibbs-White was clearly pushed to the ground, and the same player interfered with him at the moment he should have been blocking the attempt on goal. No matter how you analyze it, that qualifies as a foul."
Despite reviewing the situation, the VAR upheld Jones' initial ruling, allowing the goal to stand. This loss leaves Nottingham Forest precariously positioned, sitting just five points above the relegation zone in the Premier League.
The Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), which oversees refereeing in the league, has previously shared VAR audio privately with clubs, including Nottingham Forest. Furthermore, PGMOL chief refereeing officer Howard Webb has discussed contentious incidents on the Mic'd Up program, providing some insight into difficult decisions made during matches.
Regarding the crucial goal scored by City, Dyche questioned the logic behind the VAR's conclusion, arguing, "They might say the ball wasn’t in the area, but if you push the goalkeeper down, shouldn’t that be considered a foul regardless? We all know it would be deemed a foul in most circumstances. And to have them score immediately afterward makes it even more frustrating. I’m a strong advocate for VAR, but I struggle to understand how this decision could be deemed correct."
Meanwhile, former referee Darren Cann commented on BBC’s Match of the Day, noting that the video assistant referee reviewed the play and determined there was no 'clear and obvious' error, a conclusion he supported. He mentioned, "This decision is one that will divide opinions; some will see it as a legitimate goal, while others will view it as a foul. Consequently, the referee's initial call stands."
Nottingham Forest has previously had contentious encounters with referee Rob Jones. A notable instance occurred two years ago when Jones issued a red card to Willy Boly during a match against Bournemouth, prompting then-manager Nuno Espirito Santo to advocate for VAR intervention in cases of second yellow cards. Additionally, last season saw Jones sending off Nuno for dissent during a game against Brighton, leading to charges from the Football Association against the Portuguese manager.
As the conversation surrounding officiating continues, how do you feel about the role of VAR in such controversial moments? Should Nottingham Forest pursue further action? Share your thoughts in the comments!
