Full Breakdown
Stuart Attwell's Ongoing Exile from Nottingham Forest Matches
4/21/2026, 10:59:18 AM
Controversial History with Nottingham Forest
Stuart Attwell, a Premier League referee, has been deliberately kept away from officiating Nottingham Forest matches due to a controversial incident from two years ago. This situation arose following a match against Everton, where Attwell, serving as the video assistant referee (VAR), faced backlash for not awarding three penalty appeals during a 2-0 defeat. Nottingham Forest publicly condemned Attwell's decisions via a now-deleted tweet, which claimed bias due to his support for Luton Town, a relegation rival. The English Football Association (FA) subsequently charged Forest for an “attack on the integrity of a match official,” resulting in a record fine of £750,000.
Background on Referee Exclusions
The Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMO), which oversees referees in English football, has not indicated when Attwell might be reassigned to officiate Forest matches. His exclusion mirrors past instances where referees were kept away from teams following contentious decisions. For example, Mark Clattenburg was absent from Everton's Goodison Park for six years after making controversial calls in a Merseyside derby. Similarly, Martin Atkinson was sidelined from Manchester United matches due to issues with former manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
Official Statements & Responses
The PGMO has not publicly clarified the reasons behind Attwell's continued absence from Nottingham Forest fixtures. Sources within the organization, speaking anonymously, suggest that the decision stems from the fallout of the Everton match. Attwell's record includes being the youngest referee to officiate in the Premier League and facing criticism for past errors, such as the infamous 'ghost goal' incident in 2008. Nottingham Forest's head coach at the time of the Bournemouth match in May 2022, Steve Cooper, noted that Attwell and his assistant acknowledged a significant error in officiating.
Criticism of Referee Management
Critics, including former Premier League referee Graham Scott, argue that clubs exert too much influence over referee appointments. Scott contends that while clubs should not dictate who officiates their matches, the current system allows them to effectively veto referees through public complaints. This dynamic complicates the PGMO's role in maintaining impartiality and authority over officiating assignments.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
While the PGMO has remained tight-lipped about the specifics of Attwell's exclusion, there is ambiguity regarding whether the decision was made solely by the PGMO or if Attwell himself expressed reluctance to officiate Forest matches. Additionally, the lack of clarity surrounding the criteria for reassigning referees after controversies raises questions about the consistency of officiating standards in the Premier League.
What's Next
As the situation develops, it remains uncertain when or if Stuart Attwell will return to officiate Nottingham Forest matches. The PGMO's approach to managing referee assignments in light of past controversies will likely continue to be scrutinized by clubs and fans alike.
