Nottingham Forest have requested the VAR audio after their 2-1 home defeat to Manchester City, as they consider making a formal complaint. The club are unhappy with referee Rob Jones’ decisions, particularly Rayan Cherki’s late winner, which Forest believe should have been disallowed for a foul on Morgan Gibbs-White.
Forest also argued that City’s Ruben Dias should have received a second yellow card in the second half. Head coach Sean Dyche said everyone watching could see the incidents, and described the VAR review as an “easy decision” that was missed.
During the match, Forest players protested that Gibbs-White was pushed while defending a corner, preventing him from blocking Cherki’s goal. The VAR checked the goal but allowed it to stand. Dyche expressed frustration, saying, “I’m a big fan of VAR – I can’t work out how you can’t get that right.”
Forest remain five points above the Premier League relegation zone. The referees’ body, PGMOL, has previously shared audio privately with clubs and discussed incidents publicly on their Mic’d Up program. Former official Darren Cann said the decision would divide opinion but that the referee’s call should stand.
This is not the first time Forest have clashed with Jones over VAR, including past red cards for Willy Boly and Dyche’s predecessor Nuno Espirito Santo.
