Everton: Mike Dean rages at ‘bang out of order’ Nottingham Forest after Goodison Park incidents
Nottingham Forest were “bang out of order” to question Stuart Atwell’s integrity following their defeat to Everton, according to Mike Dean.
The Toffees claimed all three points against Nuno Espirito Santo’s side on Sunday (22 April) but the result of the game was overshadowed by a statement from Forest following several controversial refereeing decisions.
The away side’s official X account quickly made a post accusing the PGMOL of appointing a Luton Town fan in Atwell as the VAR, but former Premier League referee Dean quickly defended the official live on Sky Sports.
Speaking on Sky Sports News (22 April) he said: “I think it’s bang out of order, Stuart is one of the most honest referees that we’ve got. He’s been in the Premier League a long time, he was on the first time then got removed and then came back even stronger.
“He’s one of the best VARs we’ve got in the country and throughout the world. He attends many World Cup seminars, I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s somewhere in the Euros this year and again he’ll probably be involved in the World Cup because he’s highly respected in FIFA and UEFA.
“To question his integrity was bang out of order.”
Will Nottingham Forest and Nuno Espirito Santo be hit with punishment after Everton controversy?
It was clear that both Atwell and the on-field officials at Goodison Park got a number of controversial decisions wrong on Sunday. Even Ashley Young couldn’t hide a rye smile when asked about the penalty calls.
Whether or not the referee or the VAR got those calls wrong or not, it doesn’t give Forest, or any club for that matter, the right to question Atwell’s integrity. He made an error, but there is no evidence that it was a result of bias.
Hopefully, Forest will be punished in some way by the FA as it is unacceptable to take aim at referees in this manner. The away side’s frustration is understandable, but there is a way in which you go about voicing it.
However, the most important thing for Sean Dyche’s side is that they managed to find a way to claim all three points. It wasn’t pretty, but it was a huge step in the right direction away from relegation.
In other Everton news, Jamie Carragher has slammed Forest for an “embarrassing” statement following controversy at Goodison
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