'.

Nottingham Forest submit formal complaint over Manchester City clash

Nottingham Forest have made a formal complaint to the PGMOL over the officiating in their defeat to Manchester City, requesting the release of the VAR audio for the fixture.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 17: Sean Dyche, Manager of Everton, reacts during the Premier League match between Everton FC and Arsenal FC at Goodison Park on September 17, 2023 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images

Nick Mashiter reported for the BBC on Monday that Nottingham Forest had asked for the VAR audio from their match against Manchester City as they considered making a formal complaint over the officiating during the fixture.

Sky Sports have since reported that Forest have submitted that formal complaint to the PGMOL, as well as asking for more information about the decisions during the City match.

LUTON, ENGLAND: Morgan Gibbs-White of Nottingham Forest reacts to supporters during the Premier League match between Luton Town and Nottingham Forest at Kenilworth Road on March 16, 2024. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images

Forest manager Sean Dyche believed City should have been shown a red card and should have had their winning goal ruled out in their 2-1 victory on Saturday.

Dyche began by emphasising the role the officiating had played in the eventual result, saying: “Unfortunately, the officials played a huge part in the game today.

“It’s very unfortunate, but we don’t want that. I’m scratching my head as I’ve looked back and can’t believe some of the incidents. I can’t believe what I’m watching.”

BRIGHTON, ENGLAND: Morgan Gibbs-White of Forest in action during the Premier League match between Brighton & Hove Albion and Nottingham Forest at American Express Community Stadium on March 10, 2024. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images

Right before City’s winner, Morgan Gibbs-White had been hauled to the ground by Nico O’Reilly, and Gibbs-White was then the closest player to blocking Rayan Cherki’s shot a moment later.

“It’s clear as day that Morgan Gibbs-White is pushed to the floor, and then the same player tries to get up to block it, and it goes through his body because he can’t get into a position to block it,” Dyche pointed out.

“For me, that’s an unacceptable performance. Sometimes, the officials have got to come out – the powers that be – and say they were miles off.”

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MARCH 31: Pep Guardiola, Manager of Manchester City, reacts during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Arsenal FC at Etihad Stadium on March 31, 2024 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images) (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images

Even before that, Ruben Dias got away with one when he brought down Igor Jesus on a yellow card and somehow avoided picking up a second.

“They say it’s an accident,” Dyche said of the incident. “If that’s an accident when he’s running through on goal we all know what happens. You get a red card. So why is it an accident and he isn’t yellow carded then?

“I just find it bizarre, I really do. And I think these are easy things. Just give him a second yellow, that’s it. ‘Off you go’. I’m absolutely stunned.”

Related Topics