Sky Sports issue apology to Nottingham Forest after Everton controversy
Sky Sports have issued an apology to Nottingham Forest “for any offence caused” by comments made by Gary Neville following their controversial match against Everton, John Percy has shared.
The Telegraph football reporter posted on X [5 July] an article explaining that they are sorry for Neville’s choice of words in heavily criticising Nottingham Forest’s club statement following VAR controversy in their defeat by the Toffees back in April.
Neville described the statement as “like a mafia gang” and insisted on Mark Clattenburg’s resignation from his post as Forest’s refereeing consultant.
Stuart Attwell, VAR for the match in question, was accused by Forest of supporting relegation rivals Luton Town after denying three potential penalty shouts for Nuno’s side at Goodison Park as Everton eventually won 2-0.
In response to a legal letter of complaint, Sky and Neville jointly announced: “In response to a Nottingham Forest statement outlining their grievances with PGMOL following their match with Everton on 21 April, Gary Neville, commenting on Super Sunday, strongly criticised Nottingham Forest’s approach.
“Sky Sports have discussed with Gary the language used and its potential to cause offence. Gary has agreed not to use the same or similar terms in future coverage.
“Sky Sports apologises to Nottingham Forest for any offence caused by this language.”
Everton caught up in VAR storm
The victory claimed by Everton that day in April moved Sean Dyche’s team four points clear of Nottingham Forest, who regardless managed to stay afloat with a record-low surviving points total of 32.
The chaos which would have ensued had Forest dropped into the Championship at Luton’s benefit, however, could have been monumental.
Often referenced to this day is a case of different factors but a very similar consequence at stake, when West Ham United stayed up at Sheffield United’s expense in 2006-07 – thanks in no small part to Carlos Tevez – for whom the Irons were fined for his rule-breaking signing, but crucially not deducted points.
Shortly over a week after the match, Howard Webb admitted he would liked to have seen Attwell and match referee Anthony Taylor take a different approach as Forest were slightly redeemed for their scathing statement.
For Everton, no blame was attached and there could even have been some comfortable respite for Blues fans in the wake of the victory, that they were merely a footnote in this battle between Forest and PGMOL amid the carnage that was developing at board level at Goodison Park.
In other Everton news, Bryan King believes another Premier League giant will go in for Jarrad Branthwaite.
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