Evangelos Marinakis SLAMS VAR and insists ‘human mistakes are very difficult to accept’ – as the Nottingham Forest owner calls on authorities to ‘correct the situation’ and ‘ensure there is justice’

Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis has hit out at VAR and bemoaned the fact that mistakes are still made despite the use of the technology. 

Forest have had regular gripes with refereeing calls since their return to the Premier League in 2022, with a whole of host of controversial incidents taking place.

Following a 2-0 defeat by Everton last season, Forest took to social media to publicly call out the PGMOL and claim that VAR official Stuart Attwell was a Luton fan after feeling they had three strong penalty appeals turned down. The club were subsequently fined £750,000 and warned over their future conduct by an independent regulatory commission.

Meanwhile, earlier this season Marinakis received a five-game stadium ban for allegedly spitting on the floor as match officials walked past him in the tunnel following Forest’s 1-0 defeat by Fulham.

The loss had come courtesy of a Raul Jimenez penalty that was awarded when referee Josh Smith was urged to consult the pitchside monitor by VAR.

And, Marinakis outlined his frustrations with the technology and claimed continued mistakes were still being made by officials.

Forest and Marinakis have been involved in several controversies with referees in recent years

Last season, Forest famously issued a furious statement after they were beaten 2-0 by Everton

‘Why do we have VAR?,’ he told Sky Sports. ‘In order to double-check decisions that take place instantly and from different angles. A lot of times, you can make a mistake. 

‘But when you have all the time you need to watch from different angles, in a comfortable chair, and you can spend one minute, two minutes, three minutes, four minutes, even five minutes to watch it and watch it again, then it’s very difficult to accept a human mistake.

‘Unfortunately, we have seen big mistakes take place with VAR. Being a human being, you are obliged to make mistakes. It’s natural to make mistakes. But when you see repeated mistakes from the same people, this is something that needs to be corrected, and needs to be corrected immediately. 

‘Authorities or organisations – the FA, it’s the Premier League, it’s UEFA, it’s FIFA – they have a duty to all of us to rectify all this.’

Marinakis went onto claim that authorities must ensure ‘there is justice’ with regards to decisions and said people have to be brave enough to call out mistakes.

The Greek businessman also added that although he appreciates errors will be made, he felt he had a ‘duty and responsibility’ to ensure the situation improves.

Elsewhere, despite the criticism Marinakis and Forest have faced for their abrasive and unapologetic approach towards officials, he claimed he had ‘no regrets’ and called on others to join him in his mission to improve the game.

‘Sometimes it takes longer to prove that you are right,’ he added. ‘And, until this is proven, you might face consequences that can harm your interest or your image, or your business, your club. 

Forest felt they had three strong penalty appeals turned down and were furious after the game

Marinakis insisted ‘human mistakes are very difficult to accept’ as he called on VAR to improve

Marinakis also received a five-game stadium ban following Forest’s defeat by Fulham when referee Josh Smith was advised to look at the pitchside monitor before he gave them a penalty

Marinakis allegedly spat on the floor as match officials walked past him in the tunnel at full-time

‘People like myself, or leaders like myself, are needed in today’s society, today’s football, today’s business, to be able to take decisions or to try their very best to prove their points and the correct points. As simple as that.’

Meanwhile, Forest’s famous incendiary tweet back in April in regards to Stuart Attwell had said: ‘Three extremely poor decisions – three penalties not given – which we simply cannot accept.

‘We warned the PGMOL that the VAR [Attwell] is a Luton fan before the game but they didn’t change him. Our patience has been tested multiple times. NFFC will now consider its options.’

Along with the hefty fine, the club were warned over their future conduct for implying bias and/or questioning the integrity of match officials. Forest denied the charge and outlined their intention to appeal the outcome. 

Marinakis also appealed his five-game stadium ban following the Fulham incident, but the charge was upheld after the 57-year-old had been found guilty of improper conduct.

Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo was similarly given a three-match touchline ban for swearing at match officials when Morgan Gibbs-White was sent off in their 2-2 draw against Brighton in September.  

Despite the controversy off the pitch, Forest currently sit sixth in the Premier League after what has been a brilliant start to the season.

They return to action on Saturday evening when they travel to Old Trafford to face Manchester United.