Richard Keys has sided with Nottingham Forest after becoming enraged about the team’s “disgrace” in their weekend’s 2-0 loss to Everton.
On April 22, the host of beIN Sports showed no mercy as he attacked Howard Webb and the PGMOL on his blog for appointing Stuart Attwell as the VAR for the contentious match. He also dismissed Graeme Souness, Gary Neville, and Simon Jordan for their criticism of Forest’s incensed post-match statement.
Ashley Young took a chance on giving up three penalties at Goodison Park on Sunday, April 21. Keys believes all three should have been given, but Anthony Taylor waved them off and Attwell didn’t suggest any reviews. This caused a lot of backlash after Forest claimed Attwell didn’t recommend any reviews because he supports Luton, the team that is in relegation rivalry.
“I have nothing but sympathy for Forest fans today,” Keys wrote. Although we haven’t always agreed, I now support you. That was such a shame at Goodison. And I don’t agree with Mssrs. Jordan, Souness, or Neville—oh, the selective recollections some people have—for a single moment that the club didn’t have the right to make the statement that came after the game. Indeed, they did.
Although a few clubs aren’t far behind, he asserted that Forest has made more poor mistakes than anyone else this season. He continued, saying, “Let’s be generous – one of the decisions was debatable.” All three were, however, really pens. And I have nothing against Everton; their supporters are sincere and knowledgeable. They know they got away with one, just as when Manchester United beat Coventry in the FA Cup semifinal.
“I don’t mind Forest’s remark since I know they told Howard Webb (showbiz showbiz showbiz) on Friday that Stuart Attwell’s appointment to VAR was a recipe for controversy. Attwell supports Luton.
“It’s stupid,” he stated, stressing his own grievances with Anthony Taylor’s appointments. It’s also conceited and unyielding of the PGMOL to carry on with this approach. With Attwell, it has severely bitten them. I have sympathy for the man. I genuinely do. Though you may argue he ought to have recused himself, it’s not his fault.
The aftermath of Everton’s victory is still ongoing.
Keys has adopted the unusual position of opposing Attwell while simultaneously expressing his rage over the whole incident, something the official doesn’t often get to do.
Everton was lucky to secure the victory they want and be able to move on this occasion, but Forest hasn’t back down in the face of criticism about their response.
All clubs have complaints about officiating on a regular basis, and the Toffees might have made a good case for themselves as one of the worst affected before this season.
They may have lost out to other teams this season for that undesirable crown, but they still top the Premier League in the even more unpleasant category of points lost due to expenditure violations.
The only other team in the top flight to receive such punishment is Forest, and even though they seemed to get off lightly with four points, they appealed still after Everton had to contest a 10-point sentence down to six and later had two more deducted for a second infraction.
Their desire to stir up controversy over officiating may cast that decision in a different light, but it also helps to explain why the stakes are so high for them—and for the Toffees, too, should the three points be backed up in the remaining games.
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