Credit: Imago / TNT Sports
Credit: Imago / TNT Sports
Match

Ex-refs chief issues apology as Nottingham Forest star accused of cheating vs Sturm Graz

Harri Burton
Harri Burton

Senior Correspondent AUTHORITY Senior football journalist specialising in refereeing and officiating; former contributor to The Football League Paper, Late Tackle, and the Premier League; University of Derby graduate. FOCUS Refereeing controversies, football finance and governance, PGMOL decisions, and officiating analysis across the Premier League, EFL, and SPFL. THE INSIGHT Harri utilises a network of officiating and industry contacts to deliver verified, expert analysis of refereeing decisions and PGMOL policy. He provides the regulatory clarity behind the controversy to ensure fans get the full picture.

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Nottingham Forest should not have been awarded a second penalty after Morgan Gibbs-White missed his spot-kick against Sturm Graz.

That is according to former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, who exclusively told Football Insider that one of Sean Dyche's players had attempted to buy a penalty from the referee.

Mykola Balakin made some strange decisions out in Austria on Thursday, 6 November, but the Reds' manager's tactic of bringing Murillo on for Gibbs-White might have trumped the referee's performance.

Dyche's side missed several chances to take the lead, and while Gibbs-White was fresh off scoring against Man United, he could not tuck his effort away from 12 yards against Sturm Graz.

Ryan Yates accused of going to ground too easily by Keith Hackett

This is where one of the most contentious incidents emerged, with Ryan Yates charging into the penalty area to follow up the missed spot-kick, only to be barged over from behind.

Forest players were absolutely certain that a second penalty should have been awarded, but the referee was unmoved, and so too was the VAR official, with Martin Keown accusing the player of diving as well.

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider about the penalty situation, the former referee gave his thoughts on whether Forest should have been awarded another spot-kick after Gibbs-White's miss.

Nottingham Forest
Ryan Yates was furious with the decision not to award a second penalty. (Credit: Imago)

"Sorry, Forest fans. But that was an act of simulation, and the referee was correct to turn down appeals for another penalty kick," he said after reviewing footage of the incident.

Where do Nottingham Forest stand after their Europa League draw?

Forest's Europa League journey was absolutely horrendous under Ange Postecoglou, drawing with Real Betis before being embarrassed by Midtjylland at the City Ground.

Dyche instantly won the hearts of the fans as Forest beat Porto 2-0 in a rather unexpected scoreline, but the Tricky Trees remain 20th out of 36 teams in the Europa League table.

Welcoming Malmo to the River Trent should be the perfect opportunity for the Premier League side to grab their second European win of the campaign and, hopefully, climb the table.

Utrecht also represent a good chance for three points, but all eyes should be on winning against the Swedish side, building momentum from league games against Leeds United and Liverpool.

Nottingham Forest
Keith Hackett
Ryan Yates
Sturm Graz
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