Richard Keys has associated himself with Nottingham Forest in a rant over the “disgrace” of their 2-0 defeat to Everton over the weekend.
On 22 April, the beIN Sports host took no prisoners on his blog, blasting Howard Webb and the PGMOL for appointing Stuart Attwell as the VAR for the contentious fixture, while dismissing Simon Jordan, Graeme Souness, and Gary Neville for criticising Forest’s furious post-game statement.
Ashley Young risked conceding three penalties at Goodison Park on Sunday (21 April), all of which Keys claims should have been given, but Anthony Taylor waved them off and Attwell didn’t recommend reviews for any, resulting in extensive fallout after Forest claimed that was because he is a fan of relegation rivals Luton.
Keys wrote: “I’ve nothing but sympathy for Forest fans today. I know we haven’t always seen eye to eye, but I’m with you now. What a disgrace that was at Goodison. And not for one minute do I agree with Mssrs Jordan, Souness or Neville (Oh what selective memories some people have) that the club had no right to issue the statement that followed the game. Yes they did.”
He claimed Forest have had more bad decisions than anyone this term, although a few clubs aren’t far off, then added: “Let’s be generous – one of the decisions was debatable. But, in truth, all three were pens. And I’ve nothing against Everton, whose fans are both knowledgable and honest. They know, like [Manchester] United [vs Coventry in the FA Cup semi], they got away with one.
“The reason I don’t have a problem with Forest’s statement is because I happen to know that they warned Howard Webb (showbiz showbiz showbiz) on Friday that appointing Stuart Attwell to VAR was asking for trouble. Attwell is a Luton fan.”
After highlighting his own complaints about Anthony Taylor appointments he said: “It’s stupid. It’s also arrogant and stubborn for the PGMOL to continue this practice. It’s bitten them badly with Attwell. I feel for the guy. I really do. It’s not his fault, although you could argue that he should’ve recused himself.”
Fallout from Everton win shows no signs of slowing down
Keys has adopted the unusual stance of being outraged about the entire incident while also defending Attwell, something the official does not receive much of on the whole.
Forest hasn’t backed down in the face of criticism for their attitude, whereas Everton was fortunate to obtain the win they needed and can move on this time.
Officiating is frequently criticised by all clubs, and previous to this season, the Toffees might have made a good case for being one of the worst affected.
This season, they may have been exceeded for that undesired crown, but they continue to lead the Premier League in the much more undesirable stakes of point deductions for expenditure breaches.
Forest are the only other team in the top division to have been penalised in this manner, and while they appeared to get off lightly with four points, Everton appealed despite having to reduce a 10-point sentence to six and having two more deducted for a second infraction.
That choice may be viewed in a new light as a result of their willingness to cause a stir about refereeing, but it also explains why the stakes are so high for them, as they will be for the Toffees if the three points are backed up in the remaining games.
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