Bizarre moment: Anthony Taylor makes a terrible mistake despite being just YARDS away from the incident… before fed up fans jokingly try to BRIBE the referee after a torrid afternoon.


Nottingham Forest fans are in an uproar after referee Anthony Taylor bizarrely awarded them a foul on Sunday because a Southampton player simply fell.

Mistakes are part and parcel of being human, but Forest was confused when Taylor blew his whistle and scolded Morgan Gibbs-White after Mateus Fernandes fell.

Gibbs-White didn't even come close to touching the Portuguese midfielder, but the referee seemed in no doubt that a foul had been committed.

In the end it didn't matter much to Nuno Espirito Santo's team, who won 3-2 at the City Ground and moved level on points with second-placed Arsenal.

But it has been a topic of conversation among fans.

'Anthony Taylor considered this a foul against Morgan Gibbs-White. I could see from the back row of the Upper Trent that he tripped over his own feet! Taylor is a disgrace,” said one fan on X.

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Referee Anthony Taylor has been criticized for awarding a foul against Morgan Gibbs-White (right) when Mateus Fernandes (left) simply fell.

Referee Anthony Taylor has been criticized for awarding a foul against Morgan Gibbs-White (right) when Mateus Fernandes (left) simply fell.

As Southampton star Fernandes began to fall, Gibbs-White was nowhere near touching him.

As Southampton star Fernandes began to fall, Gibbs-White was nowhere near touching him.

Forest fans vented on social media about Taylor, with whom they have a history.

Forest fans vented on social media about Taylor, with whom they have a history.

'Anthony Taylor somehow gets worse with every game he coaches. “Fernandes literally throws himself in front of him,” wrote another.

“The fact that this was called a foul against MGW shows how poor the officiating was today,” one commented.

'How can I see this from the top of the BC stands and Taylor, a few feet away, can't?!' said one.

Another wrote: 'Absolutely disgusting! There is nothing better than refereeing the Sunday league.

Referees have to make hundreds of decisions in a match and will inevitably make mistakes, especially with the pace and pressure of Premier League football.

Last year, the Premier League claimed 96 per cent of decisions were correct after the introduction of VAR, up from 82 per cent before.

However, a big VAR call in the game between Forest and Southampton sparked more controversy.

Nikola Milenkovic thought he had put the game beyond doubt when he headed in in the 64th minute, and Aaron Ramsdale wasted his save attempt.

But VAR summoned Taylor to review footage of the goal on the pitch monitor and disallowed the goal after deciding that Chris Wood, who had been offside, had interfered with play.

While reviewing the clip, some Forest fans waved their wallets and bank cards at Taylor in a joking attempt to bribe him.

It was a divisive decision as Wood did not touch the ball and sparked much discussion afterwards.

The Premier League Match Center later tweeted to clarify why the goal had been disallowed.

“The referee's goal signal was verified by the VAR, which considered that Wood interfered in the game after coming out of an offside position,” the center-back wrote.

“After an on-field review, the referee overturned the original decision and the goal was disallowed.”

Last season, Forest were so outraged by three penalty decisions in a 2-0 defeat against Everton, which Taylor had refereed, that they issued an explosive statement implying that VAR official Stuart Atwell had been biased because he was a fan of relegation rivals Luton.

First-half goals from Elliot Anderson, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Wood meant Forest recorded a seventh win in their last eight Premier League games.

Forest were also upset when Nikola Milenkovic had a goal disallowed for offside.

Forest were also upset when Nikola Milenkovic had a goal disallowed for offside.

Nottingham Forest issued an explosive statement against VAR last season after they were awarded three penalties in a 2-0 defeat to Everton, with Taylor refereeing that day.

Nottingham Forest issued an explosive statement against VAR last season after they were awarded three penalties in a 2-0 defeat to Everton, with Taylor refereeing that day.

Southampton came close to completing a remarkable comeback in the second half following goals from Jan Bednarek and Paul Onuachu.

But the Saints could not find the equalizer and Ola Aina cleared the goal line to deny Bednarek a goal in the final minutes.



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By Kevin Rogers

Kevin is a seasoned sports journalist with 15 years of experience covering major leagues, including the NFL, NBA, and MLB. His dynamic commentary and expert game analysis connect with fans across all sports, ensuring reliable and engaging coverage. Phone: +1 (212) 574-9823

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