Nottingham Forest consultant Mark Clattenburg hits out at PGMOL over ‘hat-trick of howlers’ against Everton

Mark Clattenburg says Nottingham Forest have been made to feel ‘victimised’ by the PGMOL.

The former Premier League referee who is Forest’s match and performance analyst has spoken out against the decisions made in the club’s 2-0 loss in their relegation six-pointer against Everton on Sunday.

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Idrissa Gueye and Dwight McNeil fired the Toffees to a much-needed three-points – but Forest felt aggrieved by a number of decisions in the game.

Fans and pundits alike were completely stunned when the club released a fiery statement on their official X account at full-time, highlighting that the PGMOL of deploying a Luton Town fan in Stuart Attwell to work VAR, with the Hatters also battling relegation.

talkSPORT understands that Clattenburg spoke to the PGMOL on Forest’s behalf about the choice of Attwell and his allegiance ahead of the game, but did not request the official be taken off the game and there were no pre-match issues.

Clattenburg was later told to resign by Gary Neville on Sky Sports and encouraged to distance himself from the statement with the Football Association investigating it.

Instead, he has now doubled down on Forest’s stance.

Clattenburg wrote in his Daily Mail column: “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.”

The first incident Forest were left puzzled by was Ashley Young appearing to kick Giovanni Reyna in the back of the foot inside the area.

Clattenburg said: “We have seen others win penalties in similar situations — Anthony Gordon for Newcastle against West Ham, for example — but not this time. No visit to the monitor. No penalty awarded.”

Secondly, Callum Hudson-Odoi’s cross was stopped by the outstretched arm of Young also raised eyebrows.

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“Handballs for making your body unnaturally bigger have routinely resulted in spot-kicks — Michael Keane was penalised for Everton against Liverpool, for example — but again, not this time,” Clattenburg explained. “No visit to the monitor. No penalty awarded.”

Lastly, on Young challenging Hudson-Odoi from behind whilst the latter was bursting into the box he said: “Referee Anthony Taylor apparently told the players on the pitch that both Young and Hudson-Odoi touched the ball.

“The television replays told a very different story and VAR Stuart Attwell had to send Taylor for a second look to correct his call. He didn’t. No visit to the monitor. No penalty awarded.”

Forest’s defeat at Goodison Park leaves them in 17th place, just one point off third-from-bottom Luton.

The Premier League season is far from over, with just under another month left to go.

However, Clattenburg believes the PGMOL’s ‘hat-trick of howlers’ has already had a huge impact on his club’s relegation battle.

He continued: “These situations were precisely why video technology was brought 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.

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“You will have seen the statement released by the club — how the PGMOL were contacted to warn that it was not appropriate for a Luton fan such as Attwell to play such a pivotal role in a massive match that would impact the relegation race.

“Certainly, I would not have risked this situation if I were the head of the referees and all of this could have been avoided had the PGMOL simply made smarter appointments.

“Referees do not make mistakes deliberately but this was mind-boggling to watch. 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.”