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FA release statement on referee complaint as huge Premier League fine issued

Referee Anthony Taylor is confronted by Chris Wood and Callum Hudson-Odoi claiming a hand ball against Ashley Young during the Premier League match between Everton FC and Nottingham Forest at Goodison Park on April 21, 2024.
-Credit: (Image: Alex Livesey/Getty Images)


Premier League side Nottingham Forest have been issued with a big fine following their complaints against refereeing decisions towards the end of last season.

Following the 2-0 away loss against relegation rivals Everton on Sunday, 21 April, Forest posted on social media X (formerly Twitter) where they complained about the refereeing decisions. They also appeared to suggest bias within the VAR team.

“Three extremely poor decisions – three penalties not given – which we simply cannot accept,” They wrote.

“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.”

The FA almost immediately launched an investigation into the post. The governing body has now released a statement confirming that they have been found guilty after denying the charge of misconduct, and revealeing the punishment handed to them.

“Nottingham Forest have been fined £750,000 and warned for misconduct in relation to comments posted on social media after their Premier League game against Everton on Sunday 21 April,” the statement read.

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“The club denied that the comments posted on social media imply bias and/or question the integrity of the match officials and/or the video assistant referee and/or bring the game into disrepute.

“An independent Regulatory Commission found the charge to be proven following a hearing and imposed the club’s sanctions.”

The statement comes just a few days after both Forest and Chelsea were charged by the FA for a failure to control their players during last weekend’s Premier League encounter. The charge comes after a mass bust-up between both sets of players in the 88th minute after Forest’s Neco Williams appeared to push Marc Cucurella off the pitch and into Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca.