Nottingham Forest charged by FA as Mark Clattenburg leaves club – bbc.co.uk
Mark Clattenburg was a Premier League referee between 2004 and 2017
Nottingham Forest, manager Nuno Espirito Santo and defender Neco Williams have been charged with misconduct by the Football Association, on the same day former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg left his role with the club.
The FA has acted over Nuno and Williams' comments following the 2-0 defeat at Everton last month, while Clattenburg has been warned about his future conduct.
The FA said: "It’s alleged that the club, manager and player’s comments constitute improper conduct in that they imply bias and/or question the integrity of the match officials and/or bring the game into disrepute."
They have until Thursday to respond to the charge.
Forest were fuming after having three penalty decisions go against them and released an angry statement on X – seen over 45m times – just minutes after the final whistle.
The club claimed they told referees body the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) that the game's video assistant referee (VAR) Stuart Attwell was allegedly a fan of relegation rivals Luton.
Despite the critical post on social media, BBC Sport has been told that Forest did not ask for Attwell to be replaced prior to the match.
After the game Williams told Sky Sports: “Every single week this happens now. We are getting decisions against us, I don’t know why. Is it because we are a lower, bottom half of the table team? Because I guarantee all the top six teams are getting every single one of them.
“I know every single person watching that game today knew all three of them were clear, blatant penalties. It is ridiculous. It is week after week now we are getting these decisions against us."
Nuno said the officials had bad games while Clattenburg, in the Mail on Sunday, called the decisions a joke and said Forest were feeling victimised.
The trio were asked for their observations by the FA. Nuno confirmed on Thursday he had responded.
The Premier League also confirmed it will investigate the comments.
The news comes after Clattenburg stepped down from his role, saying his position had "become more of a hindrance than help" to the club.
Clattenburg began working with the relegation-threatened Premier League side as a referee analyst in February.
He had already been involved in a high-profile incident following the defeat by Liverpool in March and publicly criticised referee Paul Tierney after Darwin Nunez scored a late winner.
He said Forest should have been given the ball back after the match was stopped for an earlier foul, and was prevented from going into the referees' dressing room to speak to Tierney after the game.
Following Forest's statement after the Everton game ex-Manchester United defender and Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville called on Clattenburg to quit.
Latest Nottingham Forest news, analysis and fan views
Get Nottingham Forest news sent straight to your phone
In his own statement on Friday Clattenburg said his role had caused "unintended friction between Forest and other participants".
"It has also led to the unmerited targeting of me, personally, by certain participants and pundits," he added.
"I performed my services under the consultancy agreement in good faith, to the best of my abilities and in the hope of using my extensive experience as a match official to help Nottingham Forest understand how decisions in relation to key match incidents are made amid the workings of VAR."
Forest travel to relegated Sheffield United on Saturday sitting a point above the Premier League's bottom three.
Five key issues England boss Southgate must solve before Euro 2024
'For Scotland, no party, as Euros farewell falls flat'
'Queen of clay' Swiatek v late bloomer Paolini – Paris final preview
Who will be the stars of Euro 2024?
Gary, Alan and Micah rank the contenders
Fighting to prove his innocence
Andrew Malkinson spent 17 years in prison for a crime he did not commit
How is AI redefining love on Tinder?
A 23-year-old Russian man claims he used ChatGPT to talk to thousands of women on the app
From dog shows in Sydney to sofa surfing in Hollywood
The Australian actor and director, Rebel Wilson, reflects on her life and career so far
Five key issues England boss Southgate must solve before Euro 2024
'For Scotland, no party, as Euros farewell falls flat'
'Boring' & 'dismal' – but are England still 'ready' for Euros after loss?
'I don't believe it!' Race walker loses medal after celebrating too early. Video
What next for Grealish after England omission?
Ireland storm to mixed relay gold. Video
'I always hoped for return' – line judge back on court after coma
'Strong argument Southgate got big calls right'
Caudery eyes Rome gold before shot at Olympic glory
Choose your England team for Euro 2024 opener
Sensational upset awakens USA from 100-year cricketing hibernation
'A staggering piece of fielding' – Maxwell dismissed for golden duck. Video
All about Wharton – the Palace midfielder in England's Euro 2024 squad
'Losing 2kg off your chest makes a difference'
Do New Yorkers know the cricket is on? Video
From Exeter to England – how Watkins has risen to top
'Shambolic' pitch causes havoc as India thrash Ireland. Video
Is Haiti international football's real impossible job?
Which records could Ronaldo break at Euro 2024?
© 2024 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.
