The English Football Association has fined Nottingham Forest for their social media posts criticising referee Stuart Attwell last season.
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Nottingham Forest fined by the FAMade posts about VAR last seasonForest to contest 'disproportionate' fineFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Forest were upset following their 2-0 loss to Everton on April 21, complaining after the game on social media about three "extremely poor" penalty decisions that went against them during the defeat. Attwell, the VAR for the game, was the focus of their fury, with Forest alleging that he supported relegation rivals Luton Town.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportTHE BIGGER PICTURE
The FA have now fined Nottingham Forest £750,000 for the post, which was described as "ill-chosen and irresponsible". Forest have denied that they had cast doubt on the impartiality of referees or denigrated the sport. Nevertheless, an impartial commission reached a different conclusion, noting that Forest had shown "clear evidence of a lack of genuine remorse."
Forest have now said that they will file an appeal, calling the penalty "wholly disproportionate" and calling for an investigation into the "extremely disappointing" ruling.
NOTTINGHAM FOREST'S STATEMENT
Following the official announcement of the FA's punishment, Forest released a statement that read: "Nottingham Forest Football Club is extremely disappointed with the decision of the Regulatory Commission to impose a £750,000 fine in relation to comments posted on social media following our Premier League fixture against Everton on Sunday 21 April.
"We are particularly concerned that The FA, in its submissions, sought a sanction 'in excess of £1,000,000'. We believe that this request, along with the subsequent fine, is wholly disproportionate and the Club will be appealing the decision."
Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR FOREST?
Nottingham Forest aren't taking their fine lying down. On the pitch, Nuno Espirito Santo's side have impressed this season, losing only one of their seven Premier League games, and will face Crystal Palace on October 21.
