Nottingham Forest handed controversial referee choice for Sunderland clash after infamous injury blunder
The match officials have been announced for Nottingham Forest’s encounter with Sunderland on Saturday
Nottingham Forest are adjusting to life under new head coach Ange Postecoglou and will hope for a first win under the Australian when newly-promoted Sunderland visit the City Ground on Saturday evening (17:30 BST).
Former Tottenham Hotspur manager Postecoglou’s first four matches in charge have seen two draws and two defeats in all competitions for Forest, with a spirited performance in their Europa League opener at Real Betis on Thursday night ending in frustration as a late Antony goal salvaged a 2-2 draw for the La Liga side.
In the Premier League, things have not begun much better as Forest went down to a 3-0 defeat at Arsenal before drawing 1-1 with Burnley last time out, sandwiched between a late capitulation at Swansea City in the EFL Cup as a two-goal lead was squandered to lose 3-2 to the Championship outfit. Forest’s new-look squad will look to turn things around after a busy summer transfer window.
The match officials for Forest’s visit of the Black Cats have been announced, with the decision doing little to give home fans increased optimism amidst reminders of a controversial incident which recently took place at the City Ground.
Match officials announced for Nottingham Forest vs Sunderland clash
The Premier League have announced the team of match officials who will take charge of Nottingham Forest’s upcoming match against Sunderland at the City Ground.
Referee Tony Harrington will be the man in charge, alongside assistant referees Simon Bennett and Mark Scholes. Lewis Smith will be the fourth official, while VAR is Peter Bankes and assistant VAR will be Craig Taylor.
The appointment of Harrington will raise discomfort amongst Forest fans, who will remember that he was the referee during the infamous derby match at the City Ground in May which saw Taiwo Awoniyi seriously injured late in a 2-2 draw with Leicester City.
Despite Anthony Elanga clearly being in an offside position when running through down the right wing, play was allowed to continue and Awoniyi ultimately had a dangerous collision with the post, which resulted in the Nigerian striker being placed in an induced coma for urgent abdominal surgery. Reports emerged soon after that the controversial offside protocol may be reviewed following the seriousness of the incident, which led to owner Evangelos Marinakis entering the field of play at the final whistle.
Awoniyi is yet to return to first-team action since the injury and Forest will be quick to remember the role which Harrington and his officiating team played on that day.
Awoniyi incident may have played a role in Nuno’s downfall at Forest
The image of Marinakis on the pitch arguing with manager Nuno Espirito Santo at the final whistle in May stuck with many and would provide an indication of things to come as the relationship between manager and owner deteriorated off the pitch.
While the indication from all involved is that Marinakis’ frustration was directed at Forest’s medical staff on that day and not Nuno himself, the footage prompted criticism of the owner from sections of the media and portrayed a frosty relationship between the pair. That would eventually come to a head in August when Nuno appeared to speak out against the ownership and was sacked soon after.
Nuno said following the incident in May: “It was disappointing for everybody. T [Taiwo] gave it a go, but it was too painful for him to really push and help the team. There was a misunderstanding between the coaching staff and the medical department. We had the heads up to make a sub, then T tried [to continue], but he could not.
“[There was] disappointment and frustration of course. But it is because of the owner and his passion that we are growing as a club. He pushes us. He wants us to be better. It is his passion and desire to be a big club — 30,000 people felt the same today.”