21 January 2024 , 17:30
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Nottingham Forest have written to PGMOL chief Howard Webb to complain about Ivan Toney's controversial free kick - with Gary Neville calling their letter "embarrassing" while also pointing the finger at Arsenal and Liverpool.
Toney, who has just returned from an eight-month ban for breaching the Football Association's gambling rules, moved the ball two or three yards to his right before scoring a free kick. The goal proved to be decisive, as Brentford won Saturday's game 3-2.
Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo was furious at full-time and insisted Toney "clearly" moved the ball. The England striker, 27, even admitted to doing so but insisted he didn't break any rules. Forest have now contacted Webb to clarify PGMOL's position.
Darren England, who refereed Saturday's game, is thought to have told Forest officials that VAR doesn't have the power to penalise Toney for moving the ball. Only the referee, who was not looking at Toney when he moved the ball, can tell him to move it back.
Forest have asked Webb whether Toney broke the rules by moving the ball. If Webb confirms the forward did, they expect PGMOL - who are in charge of refereeing in the Premier League - to explain why VAR didn't intervene. VAR is allowed to get involved if there's been a "serious missed incident" - hence Forest's argument.
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Toney believes he's done nothing wrong. The Brentford skipper said: "I think you have a yard either way (to move the ball), so I just moved the ball and bent it around the corner."
Reporters asked Nuno for his opinion on Toney's claim during his press conference. The Forest boss replied: "That is a new one, it is the first time I have heard that one.
He added: "Everyone in the room will have seen the ball displacement and the law is clear. Every goal must be checked. Every situation must be checked, when it leads to a goal."
Toney moved the ball two or three yards before finding the net (ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images)What's your opinion on the matter? Let us know in the comments below!
Neville has offered his opinion on the matter. He believes it's time for clubs to stop complaining to PGMOL after Liverpool and Arsenal contacted the refereeing body earlier this season over their own gripes. Neville wrote on X: "Clubs writing to PGMOL is embarrassing! Liverpool and Arsenal started it and set the precedent of this nonsense."
Forest took the lead in the third minute of Saturday's game through Danilo before Toney, who was making his first Premier League appearance since April, controversially equalised. Ben Mee then made it 2-1 to Brentford, but Chris Wood quickly equalised. Neal Maupay scored the winner for the hosts in the 68th minute to give them a crucial win.
Saturday's result at the Gtech Community Stadium could have huge ramifications come the end of the season. Brentford have leapfrogged Forest into 14th and moved six points clear of the drop zone. Forest are 16th, just four points ahead of Luton in 18th.
Toney's return is a massive boost for Brentford. The £100million-rated star scored 20 Premier League goals last season and is a transfer target for Arsenal and Chelsea. He's expected to finish the campaign at Brentford before seeking a summer move.