Everton v Nottingham Forest: New points deduction update as investigation emerges
Nottingham Forest are “unlikely” to be hit by a new points deduction but could be fined for their controversial social media post on VAR in the loss to Everton, according to Mike Keegan.
The Daily Mail journalist reported via Twitter on 21 April following the vital 2-0 Toffees win, in which Ashley Young was involved in three penalty appeals for the visitors which were waved off at Goodison Park.
Forest’s official Twitter account accused the VAR official Stuart Attwell of being a fan of relegation rivals Luton Town, which is now to be investigated by the FA.
They wrote: “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.”
With Forest and Everton both already hit by points deductions this term, and both currently appealing their latest one, Keegan wrote: “Perhaps unsurprisingly, the FA will be investigating the Forest tweet. While a points deduction is unlikely, a hefty fine is not.”
Everton loss spells more trouble for Nottingham Forest
Young was treading a very fine line at Goodison Park and got the benefit of the doubt three times, as Sean Dyche’s side secured a crucial three points against their rivals for the drop.
Everton are quite familiar with officiating controversies themselves, including ones that involve Attwell as the VAR, but will count themselves fortunate this time.
Forest on the other hand have gone for the nuclear option and will likely be punished as a result, which won’t improve their view of the controversy at all, although a points deduction in the fallout to one game would be a huge overreaction.
When relegation is on the line the stakes are raised hugely so it is little surprise Nuno Espirito Santo’s side have reacted, but it is unusual to directly accuse an official of bias thanks to their own allegiances.
It seems there is history to the situation on their end behind the scenes, so there is bound to be more to come from this.
For once Dyche and his players can celebrate some positive luck and a massive result, just the second victory of 2024 in the top flight.
They may have ridden their luck but after the 6-0 capitulation at Chelsea on Monday a reaction was crucial, and goals from Idrissa Gana Gueye and Dwight McNeil ultimately delivered it, despite Young’s exploits at the back.
In other Everton news, the manager has held crunch talks at Finch Farm this week amid calls for him to be sacked.
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