Nottingham Forest’s owner, Evangelos Marinakis, has been left furious with the English Football League following his side’s recent defeat to Bournemouth in a Championship decider.
Forest headed into their clash with the Cherries knowing that victory would take them above Scott Parker’s side on goal difference, and into the second automatic promotion spot with one game left to play in the season.
And they should have been awarded a penalty in the first half, as Sam Surridge was brought down as he rounded Mark Travers, only for an incorrect offside call making the referee’s decision for him.
Sam Surridge running through, brought down for a penalty but flagged offside… ? #nffc #afcb #bbcefl pic.twitter.com/qsJuTGSkyV
— Sanny Rudravajhala (@SannyR1985) May 3, 2022
Steve Cooper revealed that the officials had already apologised for their mistake, saying ‘they have put their hands up and owned up to a huge error.’ ‘It doesn’t really help but at least they had the courtesy to own up to the decision that they made.’
This Stuart atwell decision may cost us promotion.#nffc pic.twitter.com/01WKOwTxx1
— NffcOscar (@NffcOscar) May 4, 2022
The damage was done, however, as the game was decided by a single goal in favour of the south coast side 7 minutes from time. And, to add further insult to injury, it was Kieffer Moore, who was out injured for the initial game before Storm Eunice saw it postponed, who swept his side into the Premier League.
Marinakis reveals fury
And, speaking to the BBC’s Colin Fray, Marinakis revealed that he was left frustrated by yet another perceived injustice for Nottingham Forest on the behalf of the EFL, claiming that he wanted ‘to express my frustration’ with the situation.
Evangelos Marinakis celebrates during the 2019/20 UEFA Europa League 1/32 playoff finale game between Arsenal FC (England) and Olympiakos FC (Greece) at Emirates Stadium, in London, United Kingdom, on February 27, 2020. (Photo by Federico Guerra Moran/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
The result, which has left Forest consigned to the Play-Offs to have any chance of promotion this season, was not the only issue either. According to Fray, he felt frustrated that Forest ‘were not backed by the EFL’ when this game was initially postponed amid controversy.
He also expressed his wish ‘to see a fair referee and a fair federation, so that the game could be decided by the players on the grass.’
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