Forest loses its appeal against the penalties for their anti-VAR social media posts

Nottingham Forest’s appeal against a 750,000 pound ($969,525) fine levied on the Premier League team for social media posts criticizing a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) last season was rejected by an independent appeal board, the FA announced on Monday.

Minutes after the game, Forest tweeted on X that VAR Stuart Attwell was a supporter of Luton Town, who were competitors in the fight to avoid relegation, after they were incensed at being refused three penalty requests in a 2-0 loss to Everton last April.

In October, an independent commission penalized and warned Forest for wrongdoing, notwithstanding Forest’s denial that the posts suggested any bias or called into question the match officials’ impartiality.

Forest filed an appeal, arguing that the fine was “disproportionate.”

“The appeal board dismissed a subsequent appeal by Nottingham Forest FC in relation to both liability and sanction, and it has also ordered the club to remove the social media post,” the Football Association said in a statement on Monday.

After placing 17th, Forest, who lost four points for violating the league’s financial regulations, managed to escape relegation. Luton was demoted after finishing in 18th place.

Forest has performed better this season and is currently in third place in the standings going into Saturday’s trip to Ipswich Town.