Stan Collymore reacts to PGMOL judgement of Everton controversy
Stan Collymore has reacted to news that the PGMOL believe Nottingham Forest should have had one penalty in their 2-0 defeat to Everton.
Forest were furious after defeat at Goodison Park, where they felt they should have had three penalties for different incidents involving Ashley Young during the game.
But a panel unanimously agreed that only once incident should’ve resulted in a spot kick [ESPN, 29 April]
“So after I got pelters from Forest fans last week after having the temerity to say I didn’t think Forest had three penalty shouts against Everton, we’ve finally had the independent panel (three former players and coaches plus a PGMOL and Premier League representative) judgement on the decisions,” he said.
“No penalty for Gio Reyna going down too easily, as I said. Check. No penalty for Ashley Young handball as his arm was in a natural position, as I said. Check.
“And lastly, the panel concluded that Young on Callum Hudson Odoi was a penalty, but… The Premier League then released the audio of the Young / Hudson Odoi incident and to be honest, I still, like Stuart Atwell, think it was a tussle. A 50/50 instead of the conspiracy theory that he ‘wiped him out’.
“But I’ll take the L on the last one and be happy, because, as once Meatloaf said — two outta three ain’t bad!”
Time for everyone to move on from Everton incident
Obviously Nottingham Forest have every right to be angry at the situation and how they feel the game was refereed, but at this point it makes no difference.
The result of the game isn’t going to change, the officials apologising to them isn’t going to give them any points that they need and they need to just focus on their final remaining games.
Collymore said at the time he didn’t feel all the incidents should have resulted in penalties, and if Forest hadn’t have kicked up such a fuss after the game with their social media post then it would all have been forgotten about by now.
Everton in that time have gone on to win two more games against Liverpool and Brentford to secure their Premier League safety for next season, and Forest should focus on doing the same.
The Toffees have had decisions go against them on and off the pitch this season but they’ve rallied to improve their situation and got their rewards.
In other Everton news, one source says the club could have walked away from Bramley-Moore dock and stayed at Goodison amid financial problems.
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