Nottingham Forest, Luton’s rivals in the relegation battle, were highly displeased after their defeat against Everton, citing Luton-supporting Stuart Attwell as the video assistant referee (VAR) for the match. They felt that they were unfairly denied three penalties during their 1-0 loss and released a statement expressing their frustration.
One incident involved Callum Hudson-Odoi being brought down by Ashley Young, with on-field referee Anthony Taylor appearing to indicate that the challenge was fair, despite television replays suggesting otherwise. Forest criticized the PGMOL for appointing Attwell and for what they believed were three incorrect decisions.
Var Attwell will referee Fulham’s game against Crystal Palace, while Taylor will oversee West Ham vs Liverpool, and Coote, a Notts County fan from Nottingham, has been selected as the referee for Wolves vs Luton. There were rumors about Coote being a Manchester United fan, which were proven false, as he in fact supports Notts County, Forest’s long-term local rivals.
Forest, who have been deducted four points for breaching financial regulations, are currently embroiled in a relegation battle with Luton. Everton’s win over Forest lifted them five points above the relegation zone, leaving Luton in the final relegation spot with four matches remaining.
With only a one-point difference between the two teams, the fight for survival is expected to go down to the wire.