Keith Hackett: Morgan Gibbs-White ‘right to be disappointed’ as Nottingham Forest footage re-analysed
Nottingham Forest were unfortunate not to be awarded a second penalty against Midtjylland in their Europa League defeat.
That is according to former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, who exclusively told Football Insider that Morgan Gibbs-White deserved a spot-kick after being brought down in the penalty area.
Forest supporters already want Ange Postecoglou sacked, with zero wins in his first six games in charge, and a 3-2 defeat against Midtjylland on Thursday, 2 October, only rubbing salt into the wounds.
The stage was set for the Reds’ first night back in European competition in 30 years, but excitement quickly died out after two quick Midtjylland goals and Forest replacing an injured Murillo.
Morgan Gibbs-White goes down in the penalty area
However, in the 32nd minute, with Forest already 2-1 down thanks to Dan Ndoye‘s goal being sandwiched by Ousmane Diao and Mads Bech, they were denied the perfect chance to equalise again.
Gibbs-White appeared to be clipped by Victor Bak inside the 18-yard area, but with VAR suffering from technical difficulties in the first half, no such punishment was given, and Hackett was in complete disagreement.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former referee said: “Nottingham Forest‘s Gibbs-White was clearly fouled and has every right to be disappointed not to have been awarded a penalty kick.
“Clearly, VAR was appointed to the game and should have intervened because, by not awarding a penalty kick, the criteria for clear and obvious error were fulfilled.”
Ange Postecoglou already under crushing pressure at Nottingham Forest
An opportunity to score from the penalty spot to make it 2-2 likely would have made a huge difference against Midtjylland, but it was not to be for the Reds at the City Ground.
Forest’s defeat to Sunderland left the team one point above the relegation zone, having won five points from their opening six games. Postecoglou has only won one of those points.
The new manager is already running out of time to prove himself to the supporters, with almost everyone turning their backs on him just 23 days into his tenure with the Reds.