- Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has expressed his support for Premier League referees following Nottingham Forest's public outburst
- Forest vented their anger on social media, calling refereeing decisions "extremely poor" and criticizing the Video Assistant Referee (VAR).
- He emphasized their effort and good intentions, despite the intense scrutiny they face.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has expressed his support for Premier League referees following Nottingham Forest’s public outburst over officiating in their 2-0 defeat to Everton.
Forest’s Frustration:
- Forest vented their anger on social media, calling refereeing decisions “extremely poor” and criticizing the Video Assistant Referee (VAR).
- They claimed they had warned the Professional Game Match Officials Board (PGMOL) about the VAR’s alleged bias as a Luton Town supporter, a team battling relegation alongside Forest.
- The club requested the audio exchange between VAR Stuart Attwell and referee Anthony Taylor to be made public.
Guardiola’s View:
- Despite Forest’s accusations, Guardiola defended the referees.
- He acknowledged the demanding nature of their job, requiring split-second decisions in a fast-paced game under immense pressure.
- He emphasized their effort and good intentions, despite the intense scrutiny they face.
Forest to Privately Hear VAR Audio:
- While not publicly released, Forest will be offered the opportunity to hear the VAR audio related to their penalty appeals.
Upcoming Fixtures:
- Manchester City’s next match is against Brighton in the Premier League.
- They then face Nottingham Forest on Sunday, a potentially tense encounter following the recent controversy.
