Revealed: Nottingham Forest’s history with Stuart Attwell dates back TWO YEARS after ‘huge’ Championship blunder – and led to him not refereeing a single match of theirs last season

Nottingham Forest‘s unease with Stuart Attwell dates back nearly two years to a Championship clash at Bournemouth that was billed as a straight shoot-out for automatic promotion.

Forest stunned the football world on Sunday by saying that because Attwell is a supporter of their fellow strugglers Luton, he should not have been involved in their match at Everton. 

Forest were beaten 2-0 but believed they had three legitimate penalty claims turned down.

But Mail Sport can reveal that Attwell’s involvement in their 1-0 defeat at Bournemouth in May 2022 was what initially made Forest angry. 

With the score at 0-0, Sam Surridge was brought down by goalkeeper Mark Travers – but an incorrect offside call meant no penalty was awarded. 

Forest were furious that VAR Attwell and on-field referee Anthony Taylor (above) failed to award three penalties during the club’s 2-0 defeat by Everton in the Premier League on Sunday

Incensed after the match, Forest claimed ‘Luton fan’ Attwell was being biased against them

Bournemouth won the game 1-0 and were promoted to the Premier League, with Forest joining them after winning the play-offs.

Steve Cooper was in charge of Forest and said Attwell and his assistant had apologised for the mistake.

‘They have put their hands up and owned up to a huge error,’ he said. 

‘It doesn’t really help but at least they had the courtesy to own up to the decision that they made.

Attwell was not the on-field referee for a single Forest match in 2022-23, the only Premier League club for which this was the case. 

Former boss Steve Cooper was irate after an incorrect offside stopped his side from winning a penalty during Bournemouth’s 1-0 victory over Forest in the 2021-22 Championship season

Attwell issued eight yellow cards and sent off Joe Worrall during Man United’s 3-2 win over Nottingham Forest in August, while also awarding a controversial penalty to the Red Devils

This term, he was in the middle for Forest’s 3-2 defeat at Manchester United on August 26.

Attwell issued eight yellow cards and also sent off Joe Worrall in the 67th minute, before giving a controversial penalty for a challenge on Marcus Rashford which allowed Bruno Fernandes to win the match for the home side.