Nottingham Forest fans will be fuming as Premier League release VAR statement from Newcastle loss.

Nottingham Forest hasn’t had anything to complain about in terms of VAR this season, but it was put under the spotlight once more against Newcastle.

Callum Hudson-Odoi scored the Reds’ first goal after only six minutes. Forest, on the other hand, played poorly for the rest of the half, trailing 4-1 at the break. Lewis Miley and Jacob Murphy turned the game on its head in the first few minutes. The third goal, however, sparked the most interest when Ola Aina conceded a penalty kick. He jumped to stop a pass into the box that struck Aina’s arm, and after a lengthy check, Newcastle was awarded a penalty kick, which Alexander Isak converted to make the score 3-1.

Premier League release statement after VAR awards penalty for Newcastle

As has been the case this season, the Premier League has provided an explanation for every decision involving VAR, and their response to this one was spot on. The notification stated that VAR advised an on-field review for a probable handball by Aina, whose arm was seen to be in an unusual position. Following a review, the referee gave Newcastle United a penalty. Isak went up and nearly beat Matz Sels between the posts after shooting his penalty straight down the middle of the goal, giving Newcastle a two-goal lead. In truth, this was likely a punishment. However, it enrages Forest fans given who the VAR was in this game at St James’ Park.

Forest fans will be furious at decision made by Peter Bankes

You couldn’t write some of the division’s contradictions. When Forest met Wolves in January, Peter Bankes, who was the on-field referee, overturned a decision quite identical to this one. However, from his ivory tower, he elected to request an on-field review with Jarrod Gillett, only to change his mind and give the penalty. This should not sound like sour grapes. Aina most likely committed a handball offence, but the Premier League as a whole needs to get back to fundamentals with this legislation and start adjusting it so that it has some consistency. It’s ludicrous that Bankes can consider the one at Wolves in January not deserving of a penalty but then recommend that a similar decision be worth an on-field check.

Fans, managers and players simply crave consistency. Sadly, Bankes has outed himself today as a match official with zero consistency when it comes to the handball law.

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