Topics: Nottingham Forest, Gary Neville, Premier League, VAR, Everton, Mark Clattenburg
Nottingham Forest are considering taking legal action against Sky Sports after Gary Neville likened their controversial statement to that of a 'mafia gang'.
Forest were left fuming on Sunday afternoon when they were denied three potential penalties during their 2-0 defeat to Everton at Goodison Park.
Video assistant referee (VAR) Stuart Attwell seemingly decided against sending referee Anthony Taylor to the pitch-side monitor to review any of the three potential offences involving Everton's Ashley Young.
Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis, enraged by the perceived injustice, instructed the club's social media team to publish a statement that alleged bias on the part of Attwell.
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Forest claimed they had raised concerns with PGMOL - the body responsible for Premier League referees - prior to the fixture that Attwell is a Luton Town supporter, and requested a different VAR be appointed.
Luton are one of Forest's direct rivals in the fight against relegation, with the Hatters one point behind them in 18th place in the table.
The club signed of the statement with: "Our patience has been tested multiple times. NFFC will now consider its options."
The Premier League condemned Forest's actions with a statement of its own.
Forest's statement split public opinion, but Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville was not impressed.
"It’s like a mafia-gang statement. I mean, honestly, what the hell are they playing at?," Neville said.
"It’s like a petulant child, it’s embarrassing. And some of those things they’re saying in there, the suggestion of some sort of inferring of cheating because there’s an official in VAR in Stockley Park who’s a Luton fan is a scandal, and they will pay for that."
According to the Daily Mail, Forest's legal team are drafting a letter to Sky concerning Neville's comments and are considering legal action.
Club sources told the Mail that former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg - now a consultant to Forest's board - spoke to PGMOL chief Howard Webb about the appointment of Attwell.
However, PGMOL insiders deny that Forest ever raised the issue with them.
On Monday Forest requested that VAR audio of the three incidents be made public.
Forest are likely to be punished by The Football Association over the statement and subsequent comments made by club figures for bringing the integrity of the game into disrepute.
The FA have requested observations from the club, manager Nuno Espirito Santo, player Neco Williams and Clattenburg.
After the match, Espirito Santo said: "If we were in another country we will start talking about conspiracy."
