SOCCER: Forest lodge complaint over officiating in Man City defeat – reports

Nottingham Forest have lodged a formal complaint with PGMOL over refereeing decisions in their 2-1 defeat to Manchester City, disputing the late winning goal and a missed foul on Ruben Dias. The club has also requested the VAR audio from the match.

REUTERS

December 30, 2025

Soccer Football - Premier League - Nottingham Forest v Manchester City - The City Ground, Nottingham, Britain - December 27, 2025 Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola shakes hands with Nottingham Forest manager Sean Dyche after the match REUTERS/Chris Radburn

Chris Radburn/Reuters

Nottingham Forest have filed a formal complaint with England's professional referees body (PGMOL) following their 2-1 Premier League defeat at Manchester City on Saturday, according to British media reports.

The club reportedly contacted PGMOL on Monday to request access to the VAR audio from the match.

Forest manager Sean Dyche expressed his concerns after the game, saying that Rayan Cherki’s 83rd-minute winner should have been disallowed due to a foul on Morgan Gibbs-White during the buildup. He also argued that City defender Ruben Dias should have received a second yellow card for a foul on Igor Jesus in the second half.

Nottingham Forest, currently sitting 17th in the league—just one spot above the relegation zone—did not immediately respond to requests for comment outside normal UK business hours.

-Reporting by Karan Prashant Saxena in Bengaluru; Editing by Peter Rutherford/Reuters