October 14 – Nottingham Forest have been fined £750,000 by the Football Association for an “attack on the integrity of a match official on an unparalleled scale” following a social media post last season.
The club denied they had questioned the integrity of officials or brought the game into disrepute and said they will appeal the ruling, describing the FA’s recommendation for a minimum £1 million fine as “wholly inappropriate.”
An independent commission found against them, noting a “clear evidence of a lack of genuine remorse” from Forest and that Stuart Attwell was the clear “victim” of the “ill-chosen and irresponsible” post.
The punishment, handed down by an independent commission, followed Forest’s post, which implied bias or questioned the integrity of match officials. Despite denying the charge, the FA’s findings were upheld, and Forest were also warned about future conduct.
The social media post was made after a game on April 21 between Forest and Luton. Forest posted on their X account: “Three extremely poor decisions – three penalties not given – which we simply cannot accept. We warned the PGMOL that the VAR [Attwell] is a Luton fan before the game but they didn’t change him. Our patience has been tested multiple times. NFFC will now consider its options.”
Forest released a statement yesterday, saying: “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.”
The club admitted that the post was poorly prepared and lacked coherence.
The independent panel cited irresponsibility, a “cavalier approach”, and Forest’s failure to remove the post or issue an apology. Owner Evangelos Marinakis’ comments about a potential “vendetta” by officials were also considered. Referees chief Howard Webb warned the post could encourage abuse of referees and undermine their integrity.
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1732336896labto1732336896ofdlr1732336896owedi1732336896sni@g1732336896niwe.1732336896yrrah1732336896