‘Jon Moss has a lot to answer for’ as ‘farcical’ Nottingham Forest controversy analysed – expert
Noel Whelan has slammed the “farcical” use of VAR during the Championship play-off final on Sunday (29 May) and claimed Nottingham Forest were “lucky” to come away with the victory over Huddersfield Town.
The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, insisted the Terriers should have been awarded two second-half penalties despite the video assistant referee choosing not to intervene.
Referee Jon Moss booked Huddersfield man Harry Toffolo for simulation despite Forest midfielder Jack Colback appearing to make contact with the 26-year-old midfielder inside the box with around 20 minutes to play.
With less than 10 minutes remaining and Nottingham Forest leading 1-0, Max Lowe then upended Lewis O’Brien just inside the penalty area – but referee Moss waved away Huddersfield’s appeals.
Moss was refereeing his last match before taking up a consultancy role in the Premier League.
When asked if promoted Forest were lucky to avoid giving away a spot-kick, Whelan told Football Insider‘s Ewan Kingsbury: “Yes, absolutely.
“I think Jon Moss has got a lot to answer for. It won’t have been the way he wanted to bow out. However, he deserves the criticism.
“They’ve not used the VAR – and that’s why it was brought in, specifically for this match. It’s one of the biggest games in football.
“I think they were both penalties. Maybe the first one would have taken some looking at on the VAR – but the second, wow – it was stonewall.
“You need that bit of luck and Forest certainly had it. If you’re Carlos Corberan, you’re right to feel very aggrieved.
“Again, the VAR was ignored. It’s a farce. What’s the point of bringing it in if you’re not going to use it?”
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