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Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<ul><li>Everton beat Nottingham Forest 2-0</li><li>Reds had three penalty shouts rejected</li><li>Club release extraordinary statement after loss</li></ul><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script>

'The VAR is a Luton fan' - Nottingham Forest release extraordinary statement after seeing three penalty shouts denied in demoralising Premier League defeat to Everton

Premier League

Burnley

Nottingham Forest

Arsenal

Everton

Idrissa Gueye and Dwight McNeil helped Everton inch closer to Premier League safety but the big talking points were the <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/nottingham-forest-fans-outraged-denied-three-penalties-premier-league-relegation-candidates-everton/blt1a6d3bd7598cfed9" target="_blank">three penalty claims that referee Anthony Taylor and the VAR team turned down</a>. The Tricky Trees felt Everton's Ashley Young got away with three big calls in the box in either half and in a stunning statement, the club labelled VAR Attwell a Luton Town fan and questioned the Premier League's integrity.

WHAT HAPPENED?

The tweet reads: "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."<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">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.— Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) <a href="https://twitter.com/NFFC/status/1782056187652960764?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 21, 2024</a></blockquote>
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WHAT NOTTINGHAM FOREST SAID

These decisions look like they could have a huge impact on the Premier League relegation race with Everton now five points clear of the relegation zone and 18th-placed Luton Town and four ahead of Forest - plus they have a game in hand. While the officiating is under scrutiny once again for all the wrong reasons, this Forest statement is not likely to go down well with the Premier League.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher branded Forest's statement as akin to a "fan in a pub", while also criticising the standard of officiating in the Everton contest.He said on Sky Sports: "It tells us where we are with the Premier League and the clubs. (VAR) Stuart Attwell and (referee) Anthony Taylor have had a horrific day, awful, and they should be rightly criticised for that. And that could have real implications for Nottingham Forest. I get the frustration. But what I’ve just read on social media - that’s like a fan in the pub. I get the frustration. Rubbish. ‘The VAR is a Luton fan’ - don’t get involved in that. You’ve got to show a little bit of class. That’s nonsense."<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">"That's like a fan in a pub" 😮<a href="https://twitter.com/Carra23?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@carra23</a> says Nottingham Forest's response is an embarrassment 😳 <a href="https://t.co/PeTiYNvzVW">pic.twitter.com/PeTiYNvzVW</a>— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) <a href="https://twitter.com/SkySportsPL/status/1782060623276265743?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 21, 2024</a></blockquote>
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DID YOU KNOW?

Carragher was not the only one to disapprove, too. Forest found themselves mocked by <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-us/lists/sack-him-at-half-time-west-ham-fans-vent-their-fury-david-moyes-crystal-palace-romp-into-four-goal-lead/blt4203cb2bd035bb93" target="_blank">Crystal Palace following their healthy victory over West Ham on Sunday</a>. The Eagles wrote on <a href="https://twitter.com/CPFC/status/1782079706822562019" target="_blank">X</a>: "Five extremely good goals - two goals conceded - which we simply have to accept. #CPFC will now enjoy their Sunday."

WHAT CRYSTAL PALACE SAID:

Forest, who have played a game more than Everton and have four matches to save their season, next host Premier League title hopefuls Manchester City at the City Ground on Sunday. Everton, on the other hand, entertain Liverpool at Goodison Park on Wednesday night.

WHAT NEXT?

'The VAR is a Luton fan' - Nottingham Forest release extraordinary statement after seeing three penalty shouts denied in demoralising Premier League defeat to Everton | Goal.com

Nottingham Forest released an extraordinary statement after seeing three penalty shouts snubbed in their 2-0 loss to relegation rivals Everton.

&apos;The VAR is a Luton fan&apos; - Nottingham Forest release extraordinary statement after seeing three penalty shouts denied in demoralising Premier League defeat to Everton

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