Robert Jones to referee Nottingham Forest just THREE WEEKS after the club lodged a complaint against the official with the PGMOL following controversial 3-2 defeat to Man United
- Jones and on-field referee Stuart Attwell came under fire for their decisions
- Nottingham Forest lost on the road against the Red Devils after leading 2-0
- Listen to the latest episode of the Mail Sport podcast ‘It all begins!’
Nottingham Forest will come face to face with referee Robert Jones against Burnley on Monday, just three weeks after he made a formal complaint about the refereeing during their 3-2 defeat at Manchester United.
Jones was on VAR duty at Old Trafford on August 26, when Forest defender Joe Worrall was sent off and United were awarded a controversial penalty following a fight between Marcus Rashford and Danilo.
Jones upheld both calls after reviewing the incidents. Worrall was considered last man when he fouled Bruno Fernandes, even though teammate Willy Boly was close. And the penalty was converted by Fernandes to earn the points for United, who were 2-0 down early in the match.
Speaking to Mail Sport football editor Ian Ladyman on the brand new ‘It’s All Kicking Off’ podcast, co-host and Premier League winner Chris Sutton said Rashford had dived to win a penalty.
“Stuart Attwell awarded the penalty and it was Rob Jones in the VAR,” said Sutton. “So I understand why Stuart Attwell awarded it in real time, but Rob Jones would have had to be strong enough to look at it and he had all the angles.
Nottingham Forest are reunited with referee Robert Jones, who was on VAR duty during the controversial game against Man United (photo, referee Stuart Attwell)
Steve Cooper’s team later filed a formal complaint with the PGMOL in light – in part – of Jones’ (correct) controversial decision-making
Man United were awarded a soft penalty after Danilo tangled with England star Marcus Rashford
‘It’s a penalty or it’s not a penalty. It was a dive, I think you’ll agree. Therefore it should not have been awarded.’
Forest manager Steve Cooper said at the time: ‘In games like this you have to make sure things are as they should be. “I’m not going to talk too much because I don’t want to get into trouble, but I was surprised how quickly the decisions were made.
“You just bite your tongue when it comes to what (you) really feel, but of course they were defining moments.”
Bruno Fernandes found the back of the net against the visitors to claim all three points
