Richard Keys has aligned himself with Nottingham Forest in a rant at the “disgrace” in the 2-0 defeat to Everton at the weekend.
The beIN Sports host was taking no prisoners on his blog on 22 April, blasting Howard Webb and the PGMOL over the appointment Stuart Attwell as the VAR for the controversial fixture, while dismissing Simon Jordan, Graeme Souness and Gary Neville for their criticisms of Forest’s furious statement after the game.
Ashley Young risked conceding three penalties at Goodison Park on Sunday (21 April), all of which Keys says should have been given, but Anthony Taylor waved them off and Attwell didn’t recommend reviews for any, leading to extensive fallout after Forest claimed that was because he is a fan of relegation rivals Luton.
Keys wrote: “I’ve nothing but sympathy for Forest fans today. I know we haven’t always seen eye to eye, but I’m with you now. What a disgrace that was at Goodison. And not for one minute do I agree with Mssrs Jordan, Souness or Neville (Oh what selective memories some people have) that the club had no right to issue the statement that followed the game. Yes they did.”
He claimed Forest have had more bad decisions than anyone this term, although a few clubs aren’t far off, then added: “Let’s be generous – one of the decisions was debatable. But, in truth, all three were pens. And I’ve nothing against Everton, whose fans are both knowledgable and honest. They know, like [Manchester] United [vs Coventry in the FA Cup semi], they got away with one.
“The reason I don’t have a problem with Forest’s statement is because I happen to know that they warned Howard Webb (showbiz showbiz showbiz) on Friday that appointing Stuart Attwell to VAR was asking for trouble. Attwell is a Luton fan.”
After highlighting his own complaints about Anthony Taylor appointments he said: “It’s stupid. It’s also arrogant and stubborn for the PGMOL to continue this practice. It’s bitten them badly with Attwell. I feel for the guy. I really do. It’s not his fault, although you could argue that he should’ve recused himself.”
Forest haven’t backed down after criticism of their reaction, while Everton have been fortunate to get the win they were after and be able to move on this time.
Officiating is regularly complained about by all clubs, and prior to this season the Toffees might have had a decent claim for being one of the worst effected.
They have arguably been surpassed for that unwanted title this term, although they still lead the Premier League in the even more unwelcome stakes of points deductions for spending breaches.
Forest are the only other side in the top flight to have been punished in that way, and while they appeared to get off comparatively lightly with four points, after Everton had to argue a 10-point sanction down to six and have since had two more removed for a second breach, they appealed anyway.
That decision may be seen in a new light by their willingness to create a storm about officiating, but also helps explain why the stakes are so high for them, just as they will be again for the Toffees if the three points are backed up in the remaining fixtures.
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