Nottingham Furious; Drops "Bomb Statement" On Referee Decision In Defeat To Newcastle

Nottingham Forest are understood to be furious with the performance of referee Paul Tierney in Friday night’s 2-1 defeat to Newcastle United.

Referee Paul Tierney gestures for a VAR check on a Newcastle United goal at Nottingham Forest (Image: Getty Images)

The Reds’ hierarchy, including owner Evangelos Marinakis, are understood to be fuming at the official’s decision not to award a free-kick against the Magpies prior to their equaliser. Forest felt there was a foul on Andre Ayew by Joe Willock in the build-up to Alexander Isak netting his first of the evening, but it went unpunished.

Steve Cooper’s side had taken the lead through Emmanuel Dennis, only to be pegged back just before the break. And just when it looked as though they would secure a point, a handball by Moussa Niakhate right at the death allowed Isak to convert from the spot for the winner.

“I won’t dwell on the fact too much, because as I said we made our own decisions, but it was definitely a foul on Andre in the build-up,” Cooper said. “The referee has made a poor decision and so have we. And then the handball is something we can’t argue with, and we’re punished with the penalty going in.”

The result ended the Reds’ nine-match unbeaten run at home in the Premier League. And it leaves them in the thick of the fight for survival when the action resumes next month, following the international break.

Forest recently wrote to the Professional Game Match Officials Board (PGMOL) to provide “feedback”, after Cooper blasted referee John Brooks’ performance in the 2-2 draw with Everton. In that game, the Reds were particularly incensed by the decision to award a free-kick to the Toffees, which led to their second goal, rather than for a foul on Morgan Gibbs-White.