Nottingham Forest ‘consider SUING Sky’ after Gary Neville made ‘mafia gang’ comment live on TV
NOTTINGHAM FOREST are considering suing Sky over comments made by Gary Neville, according to reports.
It comes after Neville slammed the club for their statement criticising the PGMOL in the wake of their 2-0 defeat to Everton.
Forest were critical of the fact they were denied three penalties by referee Anthony Taylor, with VAR Stuart Attwell deciding not to advise the ref to review the incidents on the VAR monitor.
Neville likened the statement to something a mafia gang would put out, and Forest are now considering legal action against Sky according to the Daily Mail.
In response to Forest’s statement, Neville said: “It’s like a mafia-gang statement. I mean, honestly, what the hell are they playing at? It’s like a petulant child, it’s embarrassing.
“And some of those things they’re saying in there, the suggestion of some sort of inferring of cheating because there’s an official in VAR in Stockley Park who’s a Luton fan is a scandal, and they will pay for that.”
Forest have also requested PGMOL release the audio of the three penalty incidents, with the club’s referee analyst Mark Clattenburg describing the calls as “mindboggling”.
Clattenburg is reported to have spoken to PGMOL chief Howard Webb last Friday to share his concern about VAR Attwell being a Luton fan.
Webb denied a request for the VAR to be changed, leading Forest to air their grievances after Sunday’s defeat publicly.
A tweet from the club read: “Three extremely poor decisions – three penalties not given – which we simply cannot accept.
What have Nottingham Forest said?
After the final whistle against Everton, Nottingham Forest’s official Twitter account tweeted: “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.”
Today the club revealed they have requested the PGMOL release the audio recordings between officials during the match.
A statement read: “Nottingham Forest has today submitted a formal request to the PGMOL to release into the public domain the audio recordings between officials during yesterday’s match against Everton at Goodison Park.
“The club has requested this be shared for three key match incidents – Ashley Young’s challenge on Giovanni Reyna (24th minute), Ashley Young’s handball (44th minute) and Ashley Young’s challenge on Callum Hudson-Odoi (56th minute).
“We firmly advocate for the broader football community and supporters to have access to the audio and transcript for full transparency, ensuring the integrity of our sport is upheld.”
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“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.”
Nottingham Forest’s behaviour could lead to the FA dishing out a fine as the organisation and the Premier League are set to open investigations into the matter.
A Premier League statement read: “It is never appropriate to improperly question the integrity of match officials, and the nature of these comments means the Premier League will also be investigating the matter in relation to the League’s Rules.”