Nottingham Forest have escalated their grievances with Premier League referees by lodging an official complaint with the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) following their recent defeat at Everton.
The Incident That Sparked Fury
According to reports from Sky Sports, the flashpoint occurred around the 11th minute of the match at Goodison Park. The incident involved a coming together between Everton defender James Tarkowski and Forest forward Dan Ndoye.
It is claimed that Tarkowski caught Ndoye with a shoulder barge while the ball was not in play. The match officials took no action against the Everton player at the time, a decision that has left the Nottingham Forest hierarchy 'furious'.
Formal Complaint Over 'Violent Conduct'
Forest's complaint to the refereeing body centres on the belief that Tarkowski's challenge constituted violent conduct. The club's leadership felt the off-the-ball incident was severe enough to warrant punishment and are seeking answers from the PGMOL over why it was overlooked.
This is not an isolated frustration for the East Midlands club. It marks the latest in a series of episodes where Nottingham Forest have felt aggrieved by refereeing decisions since their return to the Premier League.
A Recurring Theme of Discontent
The decision to formally contact the PGMOL underscores the depth of feeling at the City Ground. While the result of the match—a 1-0 loss to Everton on December 6, 2025—stands, the club is determined to highlight what they perceive as a significant error in judgment.
This move places further scrutiny on the standards of Premier League officiating and the ongoing dialogue between clubs and the refereeing body. The PGMOL is yet to issue a public response to Forest's latest complaint.
