FA MAKE OFFICIAL RULING AFTER NOTTINGHAM FOREST APPEAL OVER CHELSEA BUST-UP
Nottingham Forest's FA fine for failing to control players against Chelsea has been reduced from £125,000 to £112,000 on appeal. The club successfully challenged the "lack of contrition" aggravating factor in the initial ruling.
Following an appeal, Nottingham Forest's Football Association sanction for failing to manage their players was lowered.
The Reds' inability to maintain player discipline during a 1-1 draw with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in October 2024 resulted in a £125,000 fine. The Blues received a fine of £40,000.
After it was claimed that both teams had neglected to make sure their players "did not conduct in an indecent and/or provocative fashion around the 88th minute" of the game, the FA charged them. In the final moments of the game, a brawl broke out after Marc Cucurella was knocked down by Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca after Forest defender Neco Williams shoved him.
An independent appeal body has now largely upheld Forest's appeal against the ruling. A hearing last Friday resulted in the club's sanction being lowered to £112,000 instead.
"An independent appeal board has largely supported an appeal by Nottingham Forest FC in connection to a breach of FA Rule E20.1," the FA stated in a statement. Following the large-scale altercation during their Premier League match on Sunday, October 6, 2024, the FA accused Nottingham Forest FC and Chelsea FC of violating FA Rule E20.1.
Both clubs acknowledged the accusation that they neglected to make sure their players were not acting inappropriately or provocatively around the 88th minute. After a hearing, an independent regulatory body fined Chelsea FC £40,000 and Nottingham Forest FC £125,000.
Nottingham Forest FC later filed an appeal contesting the sentence. After a hearing, the appeal board lowered the club's penalties to £112,000 and partially upheld this appeal.
The appeal board explained the decision in their written reasons: "We allow the appeal on the two identified specific grounds, under the umbrella of being decisions that no reasonable commission could have come to, namely: as supported by the FA, that the credit for admitting the charge should be the same percentage as that granted to Chelsea F.C., given that both clubs admitted the charges against them at the earliest opportunity and the charges both arose from the same facts; and the finding, as an aggravating feature, that there was a lack of contrition on the part of NFFC, when in its written submissions to the commission, it stated that 'it regrets and sincerely apologizes for what occurred.'"
If not, the appeal is denied. As a result, we partially grant the appeal and lower the commission's £125,000 fine to £112,000 in accordance with Fast Track 7, Regulations 18.1 and 18.2.
The Reds were fined more than the Blues in the initial ruling because of their "lack of contrition" and prior disciplinary record, which were considered "aggravating" considerations. The commission failed to correctly assess the club's earlier efforts to address conduct issues and the practical implications of this," Forest said in his appeal of the sentence.
Nonetheless, the appeal board came to the following conclusion: "In the appeal board's opinion, this is just not a fair criticism of the commission in circumstances when NFFC did not provide the commission with evidence of such efforts." According to NFFC's written submissions to the commission, the highest rating it can receive is that it indicates that its players exercised a great deal of restraint in the circumstances, which it claimed was indicative of the "steps it has taken" to address the criticism in a prior E20 decision in January 2023. The organisation also stated that it had reminded its players of their responsibilities under Rule E20.
That submission, though, raises the question of what actions have been taken. Simply put, the commission cannot see them because they are not named. We might also add that we cannot see them. In these situations, the appeal board dismisses the argument that the Commission did not properly take into account NFFC's earlier attempts to resolve conduct-related issues.
A £10,000 fine for an incident against Derby County in January 2022, a £25,000 fine for an incident against Crystal Palace in November 2022, a £40,000 fine for an incident against Wolverhampton Wanderers in January 2023, a £55,000 fine for an incident against Wolves in April 2023, and a £75,000 fine for an incident against Liverpool in March 2024 were among the previous instances of rule violations that the commission brought up during the initial hearing.
LIVERPOOL TARGET EMILIANO MARTINEZ AS JUVENTUS CLOSE IN ON LEGEND ALISSON BECKER
Discover why FSG are targeting Emi Martinez to replace Alisson, as Villa face pressure to sell their highest-earning players.
There’s growing talk about Liverpool potentially moving for Aston Villa’s Emiliano Martinez as they weigh up options if Alisson Becker leaves for Juventus this summer, according to TEAMtalk.
Alisson has been a rock for Liverpool since they paid a hefty fee to sign him from Roma in 2018. Over eight seasons, he’s helped secure six major trophies, including two Premier League titles and the Champions League, earning a reputation as one of the club’s best-ever goalkeepers.
But with his contract expiring in just over a year, it seems likely he might leave for a new challenge abroad. Sources suggest Juventus are confident about signing him this summer and has also been targeting other Premier League players.
This potential departure has pushed Liverpool’s owners, FSG, to explore the goalkeeper market carefully and consider strong replacements for such a key position.
Sources confirm that Martinez is once again drawing significant transfer interest ahead of the window. Aston Villa, meanwhile, are under pressure to balance their books and have Martinez, one of their highest earners with a contract until 2029, firmly on their minds.
Villa has begun looking into possible replacements too, making enquiries about several goalkeepers, including Manchester City’s James Trafford.
Martinez’s situation is catching attention across Europe, and Liverpool is among the clubs aware he could be available.
Within Liverpool’s recruitment team, Martinez is highly regarded and seen as a serious candidate should Alisson depart. Juventus has offered Alisson an attractive long-term contract, something Liverpool could match, but apparently are hesitant to do so at this point.
Discussions between Alisson and Juventus have reportedly progressed well, with the player keen to test himself in Serie A. This uncertainty has made Liverpool carefully consider their next steps in goal.
While youngster Giorgi Mamardashvili is promising, there’s still some doubt about whether he’s ready to immediately take on the number one role at a club chasing top honours every season.
That has led Liverpool to broaden its search and look at more experienced options. Martinez stands out for his leadership, mentality, and top-level experience, qualities Liverpool values highly, given his recent performances for both Villa and Argentina.
His reputation as a commanding figure and elite shot-stopper also makes him attractive to those handling Liverpool’s recruitment.
Aston Villa aren’t pushing Martinez out aggressively, but they acknowledge a significant offer could force serious talks this summer. With financial realities to face, tough decisions might be on the horizon for the Midlands club.
Liverpool’s manager, Arne Slot, has hinted at a possible “changing of the guard” regarding Alisson this summer, noting that all transfers are carefully considered with the club’s best interests in mind.
He mentioned experience is a factor in keeping players like Alisson, but ultimately it will be the club’s decision, especially with just one year left on the current deal.
While StadiumNest sources say the Juventus move is gaining serious momentum, some journalists believe selling Alisson could turn out to be a major mistake for Liverpool.
At the same time, there’s a growing unease within Liverpool about whether letting Caoimhin Kelleher go last summer was a misstep, which now adds to their uncertainty over goalkeeping options going forward.
ALAN SHEARER SLAMS VAR INCONSISTENCY AFTER ARSENAL SCRAPE PAST WEST HAM IN LONDON
Discover why Alan Shearer and Gary Lineker are questioning VAR consistency following Callum Wilson’s disallowed goal in London.
Alan Shearer didn’t hold back after Arsenal’s tense 1-0 win over West Ham, blasting what he sees as the Premier League’s inconsistent officiating.
West Ham, desperate for points at the bottom of the table, thought they’d snatched a late equaliser when Callum Wilson scored in stoppage time. But VAR caught a foul; Pablo was judged to have collided with Arsenal’s keeper David Raya, and the goal got chalked off. The review dragged on, too, with VAR official Darren England studying the replays for more than four minutes before telling referee Chris Kavanagh to check the monitor himself.
Shearer, chatting with Gary Lineker and Micah Richards on The Rest is Football podcast, admitted the officials probably got it right in the end. Still, he said, VAR hasn’t fixed the bigger problem: referees can’t seem to make consistent calls.
“Some people think that’s a foul; some don’t,” Shearer said. “But where’s the consistency? Every week we’re seeing almost identical incidents.”
He pointed to another recent VAR call last week at Everton; Bernardo Silva drew a holding foul, but Merlin Rohl barely got a second look from the officials. “Where was VAR then?” Shearer asked.
The frustration goes beyond just the players and coaches. “Fans will show you screenshots of similar moments, and sometimes it’s a foul; sometimes it’s nothing. That’s why people are upset.”
West Ham walk away empty-handed, missing out on what could’ve been a crucial point in their relegation battle. Arsenal, meanwhile, hang on at the top, still five clear of Manchester City.
Gary Lineker added his two cents: “Probably a foul, but this isn’t how it’s supposed to work. If I were a West Ham or Man City fan, I’d be angry too. There were all kinds of grappling at that corner, Arsenal players grabbing West Ham attackers everywhere. Sure, keepers get special protection, and maybe it was a foul. But what about everything else going on in the box?”
Wayne Rooney, though, gave the officials some rare credit on his own show. “Clear foul in my book. You can see the arm hit Raya’s face, and he can’t reach the ball. VAR actually did its job in a big moment.”
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