Yahoo News The truth behind Nottingham Forest, VAR and that furious statement
Nottingham Forest’s furious outburst on Sunday wasn’t just about three dismissed penalty claims or their Stuart Attwell concerns.
It was the culmination of a season of grievances. The club’s anger had been building, and it led to that explosive tweet after the full-time whistle of their 2-0 defeat - the fallout from which is still rumbling on.
What happened at Everton arguably wasn’t even the straw to break the camel’s back - that came some time ago and led to the appointment of ex-referee Mark Clattenburg on a consultancy basis. But events at Goodison Park did tip the Reds over the edge.
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Forest have been on the end of plenty of controversial calls this term. They have felt hard done by on several occasions over refereeing and VAR decisions.
A new study has looked at how teams have been affected by VAR this season. The report has calculated what the Premier League table would look like if VAR did not intervene.
According to data specialists at Instant Casino, the Reds would still be 17th in a Premier League table without VAR. However, they would be one point worse off, on 25 points rather than the 26 they are currently on.
The study examined every single VAR decision in the league and added back on goals that were ruled out, as well as removing goals given after the intervention of VAR. It only focused on decisions directly affecting goals and did not take into account subjective calls.
The removal of VAR changed the result of 26 top-flight games. And the consequences changed the position of seven teams in the alternative table.
Chelsea have benefitted more than any other team from VAR, according to the study. They would be 12th without it, rather than sitting in ninth spot as they do now.
The picture at the bottom end of the table doesn’t change too much when VAR is taken away. The relegation places remain the same, although Luton Town would be on 24 points rather than 25 and Burnley would be two points worse off. Meanwhile, the study shows Everton have gained three points thanks to VAR.
The Premier League table without VAR
1 Arsenal - 75 points (+1 point)
2 Liverpool - 74 points
3 Manchester City - 73 points
4 Aston Villa - 69 points (+3 points)
5 Tottenham Hotspur - 64 points (+4 points)
6 Newcastle United - 51 points (+1 point)
7 West Ham United - 51 points (+3 points)
8 Brighton and Hove Albion - 49 points (+5 points)
9 Manchester United - 49 points (-1 point)
10 Wolverhampton Wanderers - 45 points (+2 points)
11 Bournemouth - 45 points (+3 points)
12 Chelsea - 43 points (-4 points)
13 Fulham - 39 points (-3 points)
14 Crystal Palace - 38 points (+2 points)
15 Brentford - 35 points
16 Everton - 27 points (-3 points)
17 Nottingham Forest - 25 points (-1 point)
18 Luton Town - 24 points (-1 point)
19 Burnley - 21 points (-2 points)
20 Sheffield United - 16 points
Of course, the situation is far more complex than that - particularly where Forest are concerned. Simply taking into account decisions directly affecting goals isn’t even the half of it for the Reds.
In Nuno Espirito Santo’s first game at the helm, Forest were left incensed when Willy Boly was shown a red card in the 23rd minute of December’s 3-2 defeat to Bournemouth. The Reds defender had actually won the ball and been fouled against, but because it was a second yellow card VAR could not intervene and the hosts had to play with 10 men.
Barely a month later, there was the Ivan Toney incident. The Brentford man, on his comeback from an eight-month ban, audaciously moved the foam marking where a free-kick should be taken in order to gain an advantage. He scored and the Bees went on to win 3-2.
In March, the full-time whistle was met with chaotic scenes at the City Ground when the hosts lost 1-0 to Liverpool. Forest were furious at not being given the ball back, despite having possession when play was stopped for a potential head injury to Ibrahima Konate in the 97th minute of the match. Referee Paul Tierney opted for a drop-ball at the feet of Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher and the visitors went on to win a corner, from which Darwin Nunez scored.
The following weekend, Nuno did not hide his fury after a 1-0 defeat at Brighton and Hove Albion. He launched into a long rant in his post-match press conference, arguing Jakub Moder should have been sent off for a lunge on Neco Williams.
Earlier this month, there was the moment in the Reds’ 3-1 loss at Tottenham Hotspur when James Maddison appeared to punch Ryan Yates and avoided punishment. And then came the three penalty appeals on Merseyside.
Those are just the standout incidents since Nuno took charge. There are others, including other spot-kick shouts not given.
The club’s tweet on Sunday read: “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 said in response: “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.”
