AliousPGMOL U-Turn Hands Forest a Boost as Controversial VAR Call Reversed Ahead of Brentford Clash
Nottingham Forest’s relationship with Premier League officiating has been anything but smooth since their top-flight return. From contentious VAR decisions to hefty fines, tension between the club and the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) has often boiled over.
One of the most notable incidents came last season, when Forest were slapped with a £750,000 fine after blasting refereeing decisions in a loss to Everton—an evening where VAR failed to award the Reds three apparent penalties. Club owner Evangelos Marinakis was vocal in his frustration, and this season has seen similar flare-ups, though the club has generally kept a lower profile and allowed performances on the pitch to speak louder.
That said, the refereeing narrative resurfaced ahead of Forest’s crucial Premier League clash with Brentford. In what could’ve been seen as a provocative move, the PGMOL initially appointed Stuart Attwell as the VAR for the fixture—a decision that immediately raised eyebrows across the Forest fanbase. Attwell, notably, was the VAR during that infamous Everton match, which remains a sore memory for Forest supporters and management alike.
However, the controversial appointment was short-lived. In a dramatic and somewhat surprising twist, the PGMOL quietly reversed the decision just hours after it was announced, replacing Attwell with Craig Pawson. Pawson is no stranger to Forest, having recently officiated their 1–0 loss to Everton. While not ideal, his presence is far less inflammatory compared to Attwell, and Forest will hope the change signals a fairer hand in this key match.
Adding to Forest’s optimism is the choice of on-field referee Darren England. The last time England officiated a Forest match, the Reds triumphed 3–2 over Manchester United at Old Trafford in a well-managed encounter with no major officiating controversies. That performance left a positive impression on the club and its fans, offering hope that Thursday’s fixture could be similarly drama-free.
With just five games remaining in the season and the potential for European football on the line, Forest will be eager to keep their focus on football. The removal of Attwell from the VAR seat could provide the calm and confidence they need to finish the campaign strongly.
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