Nottingham Forest receive official response after Man United handball controversy | OneFootball

Nottingham Forest have received an official response over the decision to allow Manchester United’s contentious second goal in Sunday’s 3-2 defeat at Old Trafford, after protests that Bryan Mbeumo handled in the build-up.

Nottingham Post understands Howard Webb, head of PGMOL, contacted the club on Monday and acknowledged it was wrong not to disallow Matheus Cunha’s strike.

Cunha put the hosts 2-1 up two minutes after Morato had levelled for Forest. Following a VAR check, referee Michael Salisbury reviewed the incident on the pitchside monitor and upheld his original decision. Officials deemed the handball accidental, so the goal stood.

Head coach Vitor Pereira said the laws need clearer interpretation and suggested a meeting between Premier League managers and PGMOL to discuss decisions, including handball and blocking at set pieces.

He accepted the referee’s call but maintained it was a clear handball and that the decision proved decisive. Pereira said the referee believed any hand contact followed a touch off the body, a view he disputed, arguing the ball was controlled by the hand and enabled the shot.

He added he was proud of his players and noted Forest had collected the points before the final two games. Had safety depended on this match, he said, the manner of the decision would have been a big problem.

Source: Nottingham Post