Nottingham Forest head coach Steve Cooper says he had an "interesting" chat with PGMOL chief Howard Webb following last weekend’s 2-0 defeat to Manchester United.
The Reds felt they should have had a penalty in the first half for a handball against Harry Maguire, with the score still 0-0 at the time and the United defender already on a booking. But referee Simon Hooper waved away the appeals, and his verdict was not overturned by VAR.
Cooper said afterwards he anticipated an apology from the Professional Game Match Officials Board. And ahead of this weekend’s trip to face Liverpool, he says he has spoken to Webb, the PGMOL’s first chief refereeing officer.
READ MORE: Forest injury situation set out ahead of Liverpool showdown
READ MORE: Former ref gives verdict on Forest penalty claim and 'very lucky' Maguire
“It was an interesting call I had with Howard Webb the day after,” Cooper said. “It should remain private, I think that’s right.. How he saw it (the handball incident) and how we saw it probably left us even more frustrated with what should have happened.
“That’s gone now. Let’s just hope one or two things can go our way from now on in.”
Losing to United made it 10 games without a win for Forest. They are in the bottom three on goal difference, level on points with Everton ahead of them.
After Sunday’s loss, Cooper had said: “I’m not going to say it’s the absolute reason why we lost the game, but I think it’s a definite penalty from Maguire. And possibly a second yellow card. That could be a game-changer.
“I repeat, it’s not the reason why we lost, and I’m not going to hide behind the penalty decision, but I do think it’s a really, really bad error. It’s an error from the referee on the pitch, but with benefit of the doubt, I get it, with the angle and the bodies around the high handball.
“But for VAR not to give it... They apologised last week (to Brighton) and they are going to have to apologise again tomorrow, which means absolutely nothing.
“It’s happened too many times, for me. We are on the back end of one this week.
“I’ll say for the third time, it’s not why we lost the game. But I don’t think these errors should be happening.”
Should Forest have had a penalty? Have your say in the comments below
READ NEXT
