Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville has launched a furious tirade against Nottingham Forest, branding their extraordinary post-match statement questioning VAR integrity as 'horrendous' and akin to a 'mafia-gang' ultimatum.
The explosive comments came after Forest's controversial 2-0 defeat to Everton, a result that has massive implications for the Premier League relegation battle. The club's official social media account posted a statement suggesting VAR official Stuart Attwell was biased due to being a 'Luton fan', prompting Neville's blistering response live on air.
'A Step Too Far' - Neville's On-Air Explosion
Neville didn't hold back during his Sky Sports analysis, stating: 'I'm a Manchester United fan, and we've had some young lads on the pitch this season. I get it, but that is like a mafia-gang statement. I mean, honestly, what the hell are they playing at? It's like a petulant child. It's embarrassing.'
The former Manchester United defender went further, suggesting the statement had the fingerprints of controversial owner Evangelos Marinakis all over it: 'Some of things he's done in the past in terms of his ownership in Greece... we know there's a bit of history there. That statement is like something from a gangster movie.'
Forest's Unprecedented VAR Attack
The Midlands club took the extraordinary step of questioning the integrity of Premier League officials after being denied three penalties during their crucial match at Goodison Park. Their statement read: 'Three extremely poor decisions - three penalties not given - which we simply cannot accept. We warned the PGMOL that the VAR is a Luton fan before the game but they didn't change him.'
The club also revealed they would be 'considering their options' regarding an official response, indicating potential legal action against the governing body.
Football World Reacts to Meltdown
The incident has sent shockwaves through English football, with many pundits and fans criticising Forest's approach. The club's decision to employ former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg as an analyst has also come under scrutiny, with questions raised about his role in the escalating situation.
Neville concluded his remarkable analysis with a stark warning: 'It's like a fan down the pub. It's like you or I saying it. It's not a statement I've ever seen from a football club before. I mean, it's horrendous.'
The Football Association is expected to launch an investigation into Forest's conduct, potentially leading to significant sanctions against the club as the Premier League season reaches its dramatic climax.
