Yahoo News Nottingham Forest and Stuart Attwell twist as contradictory Mark Clattenburg claim made
Richard Keys has contradicted reports earlier this week that Nottingham Forest did not ask decision-makers to remove Stuart Attwell as VAR for last Sunday's match with Everton.
Forest issued an extraordinary statement on social media on Sunday after their 2-0 defeat at Goodison Park, saying they had "warned" referees' body Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) that Attwell "was a Luton fan" but that "they did not change him".
It has since been claimed that Forest did not ask for Attwell to be taken off VAR duties. But Keys, speaking during beIN Sports ' Premier League coverage on Wednesday night, suggested that Mark Clattenburg had asked for Attwell to be replaced as VAR.
READ MORE: Nottingham Forest line up VAR row peace talks with PGMOL chief Howard Webb
READ MORE: Nottingham Forest 'listen in to VAR penalty debate' but key demand refused
He said: "I understand and Forest maybe have some regrets they acted in the manner they did, as quickly as they did. But, our game is an emotional business and the reason I defend what Forest did was because on the Friday, Mark Clattenburg - who is their advisor on these matters - spoke to the PGMOL.
"He pointed out that Stuart Attwell was a Luton Town fan without suggesting for a minute that Stuart in any way would make decisions that would adversely affect Forest's game. I don't think any of us have ever suggested that.
"I've said this many times, when Anthony Taylor gets chance to referee Manchester City and/or United against Liverpool, Liverpool fans are always concerned about the appointment. You and I [Andy Gray] have both said time and time again it is a risk - why run the risk?
"Clattenburg asked him to be removed on the Friday because he pointed out it was a risk, and the answer was 'no'."
This followed a post to X earlier in the day from the broadcaster, in which he backed Forest's request to have the match officials' audio from each of the three penalty incidents made public.
"When you've done the right thing, which I think that was, and you've had a slap in the face, which I think the decision was, and it unfolds as you predicted it might, I think you've got every right to be emotional about what has just happened to your team," he continued.
"Bearing in mind, no team in my opinion no team has been more badly treated by the technology than Forest. One thing after another."
