Nottingham Forest have been told by the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) that VAR did not have power to disallow Brentford’s controversial free-kick for Brentford last week.
Forest wrote to the match officials’ governing body as well as the Premier League after Toney scored when he moved the ball from the spot designated in vanishing spray by referee Darren England and even moved some of the spray to the new spot.
Forest wanted answers, including whether VAR could intervene and why the referee did not spot it.
“We have received a response from the incident, it is clear that the law says VAR cannot do anything about ball displacement,” boss Nuno Espirito Santo said.
“I think that is something they should look at because it changes the reality of the game. But at the same time, we also have responsibility because we should have said something and avoided the free-kick to be taken.
“Too bad that the referee didn’t spot it or the linesman. The referee should have seen it because there is a mark and there is clear ball displacement. It is finished, we move forward.”
Forest are back in action on Friday night when they head to Bristol City in the FA Cup fourth round.
They still have a raft of injuries with Taiwo Awoniyi, Anthony Elanga, Morgan Gibbs-White, Divock Origi and Felipe all out while six players are at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Three of those could be returning imminently, depending on results elsewhere, as Ivory Coast did not quality automatically from their group.
Either way, they will not be involved at Ashton Gate.
“We have to wait, the decision is today, it could happen,” Nuno said. “There are a couple of scenarios that could happen. Let’s wait and then we will decide the moment they will return. Friday is very difficult I think.
“Nothing has changed with injuries. Let’s see, but nothing has changed. The scenario is the same, there is no hiding we are short on offensive options because the players that are out are offensive players.
“We will see, we will decide tomorrow the team and gameplan.”
Arsenal draw holders Manchester United in FA Cup third round
Arsenal have drawn Manchester United at home in the third round of the FA Cup.
Record 14-time winners Arsenal were paired with holders – and 13-time winners – United in the pick of the ties in Monday's draw.
Reigning Premier League champions Manchester City will host Salford City, who are owned by Man United's famed 'Class of 92'.
Elsewhere, Liverpool and fellow Premier League big boys Chelsea will host fourth-tier sides Accrington Stanley and Morecambe respectively.
The draw for the #EmiratesFACup third round is complete
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) December 2, 2024
One of the pick of the third-round ties, due to be played over the weekend of 11 January, will see Tamworth welcome Tottenham.
The only other non-league side still remaining, Dagenham & Redbridge, will go to Championship club Millwall.
League Two strugglers Bromley have a plum away tie at Newcastle United, meanwhile, and Premier League high-flyers Brighton and Hove Albion travel to Norwich City.
Aston Villa versus West Ham is the only other all-Premier League tie aside from Arsenal against Man United.
Wiegman hails England's 'solid' defence against USA
Sarina Wiegman praised England's defensive work in an "intense" game against the United States after they played out a 0-0 draw at Wembley.
The Lionesses struggled to find their rhythm in attack, managing just four shots throughout the game, with only one of those on target – a Leah Williamson header in the 55th minute.
However, they also limited the USA to just three shots on target, with Mary Earps the standout performer as she helped to keep the Olympic champions at bay.
After losing their last friendly at Wembley 4-3 to Germany, Wiegman was pleased to see a marked improvement as England step up their preparation for Euro 2025.
"This shows where we are at, and we need to keep improving," Wiegman told ITV. "It is November now. This is good, but we want to be better again. We have to be better again.
"I thought it was a very intense game. Of course, we know the USWNT is very dynamic [and] explosive in going forward.
"Our defence was solid, we were defending as a team, very strong. They challenged us on the wings; I think we solved that well, and in the box, we defended that pretty good. I'm happy with the team performance."
The visitors thought they had scored a winner at the start of the second half, only for Lindsey Horan's finish to be ruled out for offside.
They were also awarded a penalty in the 65th minute for an Alex Greenwood handball, though VAR overturned it after replays showed it hitting her torso.
The USA are now unbeaten in each of their last 20 friendly matches (W17 D3), keeping a clean sheet in 16 of those matches.
Emma Hayes also maintained her unbeaten start on her homecoming and was proud of how her team performed.
"When you have to play England, especially after the defeat to Germany, we knew there was going to be a reaction to that performance," Hayes told ITV.
"I got the chance to see so many younger, less experienced players. It is so important because we are building towards something. I am proud of the way we imposed ourselves on the game. Generally, I am pleased with the performance.
"We had a goal disallowed, it was never a penalty, but you saw the entries into the final third it was us more than them. We are at a developmental stage, and I am proud of the way we played. In the Olympics, I saw some composure in our play. I am proud.
"You've got two top teams. Sarina's an amazing coach. It was a good tactical match-up. I just enjoy coaching. I live in football matches, to be honest with you."
Maresca makes Sancho and Mudryk game-time vow ahead of busy Chelsea schedule
Enzo Maresca has vowed the likes of Jadon Sancho and Mikhailo Mudryk will get plenty of minutes for Chelsea in the coming weeks after impressing in the 2-0 win over Heidenheim.
It was England winger Sancho who assisted Mudryk for the Blues' second in Thursday's Conference League fixture after Christopher Nkunku scored a second-half opener at the Voith-Arena.
Neither player has been a regular for the Blues in the Premier League, with Maresca mixing up his options between Premier League duties and domestic and European competition ventures.
But as the English calendar reaches a busy festive schedule, Chelsea boss Maresca said both players will get their fair share of action.
He told a news conference: "I said since we start, Jadon is very important for us. He has to be fit, mentally and physically and he is going to help us a lot.
"Unfortunately we did not use him in the last few games but he is showing tonight how important he is. We need that quality in the last third against a low block. He is going to help us a lot.
"He's (Mudryk) one of the players I just mentioned. It's difficult to find players tonight that didn't play well. We need all of them taking the chances when they get the chances.
"They all want to play more; they all deserve to play and are working fantastic. We are going to share minutes in the next games because we have so many games and it's the normal thing to do."
Chelsea lead the league phase of the competition and are on the brink of the last 16. Maresca praised the mentality his side showed to stay perfect in the competition.
"It was a very good challenge for all the aspects, they were high pressing, intense, but no matter what they do, it's important we are ready," he added.
"It's important to continue with that mentality."
SportsMax is the Caribbean sports channel of choice, committed to providing sporting content of the highest quality to the Caribbean, delivered by a team of highly innovative, passionate and qualified professionals.
(876) 619-7629
digitalmedia@sportsmax.tv
