Mark Clattenburg has broken his silence on Nottingham Forest’s statement following their defeat to Everton on Sunday, which is currently being reviewed by the FA.
Former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg has issued a blistering critique of the officiating after Nottingham Forest’s 2-0 loss to Everton, describing the penalty rulings against Forest as “a hat-trick of howlers”.
Nottingham Forest were enraged by what they viewed as three missed penalty calls, forcing them to issue an incendiary message on social media following the match. It read: “Three incredibly terrible decisions, three penalties not imposed, 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.” The Football Association is now conducting an investigation into the statement.
Clattenburg, who joined Nottingham Forest as a ‘referee analyst’ in February, has elaborated on his issues with the performance of match referee Anthony Taylor and VAR Stuart Attwell, both ex-colleagues.
He expressed his frustration to the Daily Mail, saying: “One of these errors would have been bad enough. Three was a joke, and that is why Nottingham Forest were left feeling victimised after another defeat in which zero big decisions went their way.
“In a season where they have had to endure some egregious refereeing, this trip to Everton was as grim a game as they have encountered since returning to the Premier League.”
Ashley Young’s foul on Giovanni Reyna went unpunished, a handball claim from a Callum Hudson-Odoi cross was turned down, and there was no action taken against Young for colliding with Hudson-Odoi.
In response to these three incidences, Clattenburg stated, “These situations were precisely why video technology was introduced into the Premier League, and yet, Attwell did not send Taylor to his monitor.
“Not once. It was a hat-trick of howlers from the refereeing team and, unfortunately for Forest, a continuation of an unjust trend that has hampered their survival fight.”
Clattenburg claimed that he would have “not have risked this situation” of permitting Attwell to be the VAR amid claims that the 41-year-old supports Luton Town, whom are battling relegation against Forest.
“Referees do not make mistakes deliberately but this was mind-boggling to watch,” he continued. “Why Attwell did not send Taylor to his screen, only he will know.
“The PGMOL can acknowledge the errors if they want. The Key Match Incident panel can say Forest should have been awarded three penalties if they wish.
“Howard Webb can offer up an explanation on his Match Officials Mic’d Up television show with Michael Owen if he is so inclined. All of that is bound to happen, but none of it will help Nottingham Forest now.”
Gary Neville has urged Mark Clattenberg to quit from his position at Forest after the former referee appeared to doubt the integrity of a match official.
Speaking on Sky Sports, Neville stated: “Mark Clattenberg must resign tonight. If he saw those words go out in which question the integrity of a referee and claims someone is a cheat for supporting another club, then he’s supporting what is being said.
“He would lose all credibility with referees in the game. He should stand down tonight and distance himself from that statement.”
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