The Football Association has filed misconduct charges against defender Neco Williams, head coach Nuno Espirito Santo, and Nottingham Forest.
The accusations are related to remarks made following the Reds’ contentious 2-0 loss to Everton earlier this month. In addition, Mark Clattenburg has received a warning on his “future conduct” and has resigned from his position as the club’s referee analyst.
Nuno Espirito Santo, Neco Williams, and Nottingham Forest have all been charged with misconduct over remarks they made following their Sunday, April 21, Premier League match against Everton, according to an FA statement. The club, manager, and player are accused of engaging in improper behavior by allegedly implying bias, casting doubt on the impartiality of the officials, and/or defaming the game.
“On Thursday, May 9, Nottingham Forest, Nuno Espirito Santo, and Neco Williams had till to submit their corresponding reply. A formal warning has been issued to Mark Clattenburg over his behavior going forward for remarks he made following this game.
Three penalty appeals at Goodison Park were rejected, which infuriated Forest. VAR Stuart Attwell did not give referee Anthony Taylor instructions to go to his monitor; he rejected all three accusations.
As a result, Forest released a furious statement on Twitter during halftime and thereafter demanded the release of the VAR recordings of the occurrences. The team claimed that Attwell supported Luton Town, a team that was up for relegation.
Their tweet said: “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.”
Nuno had said after the game: “I share; of course I share the feeling of the club because it’s not only this game. It has been a while we have had poor decisions against us. It is not an excuse, but we are not comfortable with the work of the referees.”
Williams also made his feelings clear in a post-match interview. The defender said: “Every single week this happens now. We are getting decisions against us. I don’t know why. Is it because we are a lower bottom half of the table team? Because I guarantee all the top six teams are getting every single one of them.
“I’m positive that everyone who watched the game today understood that all three of the penalties were obvious, flagrant ones. It’s absurd. We are currently receiving these verdicts against us week after week.
Clattenburg referred to the three penalty occurrences as “a hat-trick of howlers” in a Daily Mail column. “Referees do not intentionally make mistakes, but it was mind-boggling to watch,” he continued. Only he will know why Attwell chose not to send Taylor to his screen.
“The PGMOL can acknowledge the errors if they want. The Key Match Incident panel can say Forest should have been awarded three penalties if they wish.
If Howard Webb feels like it, he can explain on his Match Officials Mic’d Up television program with Michael Owen. Although all of that is inevitable, Nottingham Forest will not benefit from it at this time.
In accordance with its regulations, the Premier League is also looking into Forest’s post on Attwell. The league released a statement expressing their “extreme disappointment” with the remark. “The Premier League will also be investigating the matter in relation to the League’s Rules, as it is never appropriate to improperly question the integrity of match officials,” they stated.
