By Paul Jones
Neco Williams could be in hot water with the FA after comments he made following Nottingham Forest’s controversial 2-0 defeat to Everton.
The Wales defender has been asked by the FA to explain remarks he made after the match on Sunday which appeared to suggest officials were biased in favour of the top clubs.
The statements from the authorities came within hours of Forest demanding the release of VAR audio related to the rejection of three penalty appeals.
Forest lost 2-0 at Goodison Park thanks to goals from Idrissa Gana Gueye and Dwight McNeil. It leaves them a point and a place outside of the relegation zone.
https://twitter.com/JordanWebber96/status/1782047086952734972
Williams voiced his anger and frustration after the game claiming his side were denied a number of clear penalties.
Speaking to Sky Sports, he said: “Listen, it is three clear, blatant penalties. Everyone watching that game knew they were all penalties. They are clear.
“Every single week, this happens now. We are getting decisions against us, and I don’t know why. Is it because we are a lower-bottom half team?
“Because I guarantee all of the top-six teams are getting every single one of them, and I know every single person watching that game today knew all three of them were clear blatant penalties.
“It is ridiculous, and it is week after week now. We are getting these decisions against us. I am not here to make excuses; I am not that type of person, but every week it is something. I don’t know what it is, but it needs to stop now. It is three clear, blatant penalties.”
"Top six teams get them penalties" – Neco Williams rages over Nottingham Forest treatment – https://t.co/mULnZLGKVy
— Fan Banter (@fan_banter) April 22, 2024
Williams is one three Forest members of staff – alongside head coach Nuno Espirito Santo and referee analyst Mark Clattenburg – who have been asked by the FA to explain comments they made about the refereeing at Goodison Park.
The Premier League is also examining the club’s social media post which appeared to question the integrity of VAR Stuart Attwell.
Forest first issued a club statement on X on Sunday, minutes after the final whistle, in which they said they had “warned” referees’ chief Howard Webb that Attwell “is a Luton fan” but that no change was made to the match appointment.
The club went further on Monday evening and called on Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) to change its rules on officials’ allegiances to account for “contextual rivalries in the league table”, not just local rivalries.
A statement from the FA requesting observations from Nottingham Forest, Head Coach Nuno Espirito Santo, full-back Neco WIlliams and Referee Analyst Mark Clattenburg.#nffc https://t.co/NpW6pqRu1p
— BBC Nottingham Sport (@BBCRNS) April 22, 2024
The Premier League said it was “extremely disappointed” by the statement issued on Sunday and added: “It is never appropriate to improperly question the integrity of match officials, and the nature of these comments means the Premier League will also be investigating the matter in relation to the league’s rules.”
A further statement from the Midlands side on Monday evening read: “Following yesterday’s match at Everton, NFFC issued a statement highlighting our concern at the perception of the PGMOL appointment of VAR for the game.
“This was an issue we raised with PGMOL prior to the fixture because of the fear of the side show that would ensue if anything went wrong with officiating in the game.
“That fear has materialised, as the correctness of three important decisions against the club have been called into doubt.
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“This is not about individuals but rather how the integrity of the game is seen. We know match officials do not allow outside factors to influence their decision-making and that all referees are required to declare their ‘allegiances’ to PGMOL to avoid any perceived conflict or harm to the game’s reputation for integrity.
“However, it is clear PGMOL must amend its rule on allegiances to account for contextual rivalries in the league table, not just local rivalries.
“This is currently not within the criteria but should be. Mere reliance on match officials to recuse themselves if contextual rivalries exist invites conjecture, as some have recused themselves where others have not.
“NFFC stands by its request for greater transparency around PGMOL appointments to further protect the game’s reputation, as intended in PGMOL’s existing approach to allegiances.”
https://twitter.com/ForestWatch_/status/1782535013944246478
