Nuno says Forest 'have to trust' referees this season

Nuno Espirito Santo said Nottingham Forest "have to trust" referees to get large decisions correct successful nan caller play arsenic he makes efforts to rein successful his criticism.

Forest head Nuno expects Howard Webb, nan erstwhile World Cup last referee who oversees officiating astatine nan apical level successful England, to thrust up standards.

Nuno and Forest defender Neco Williams person been fined for misconduct and warned astir their early behaviour by nan Football Association aft being captious of referees aft past season's conclusion by Everton.

Nuno has been fined £40,000 and handed a one-game touchline ban, suspended until 31 May 2026, while Williams has been fined £24,000.

Forest had 3 punishment decisions spell against them successful their 2-0 Premier League conclusion astatine Goodison Park successful April, aft which Nuno said they had been "not happy pinch nan activity of nan referees" for a play of time, and Williams gave a akin view.

Nuno has spoken to Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) leader Webb this summer, and nan erstwhile Wolves and Tottenham head addressed his erstwhile condemnation of officials conscionable hours earlier his reward was announced connected Thursday.

When asked if he will moan astir decisions successful nan caller campaign, Nuno said: "I dream not, honestly.

"We had a bully meeting, nan managers, and he [Webb] explained successful item nan changes that they want to implement. Decisions to return little time, amended decisions, I'm confident.

"I'm really assured aft nan meetings we've had things will improve, not only for Forest but for each nan Premier League. They are trying very difficult to improve. We person to spot nan referees."

A verdict has yet to travel connected nan complaint levelled against Forest arsenic a nine aft nan Everton game, pursuing nan angry connection that was posted connected X - seen complete 45 cardinal times - conscionable minutes aft nan last whistle.

Forest commencement their 2024-25 Premier League run against Bournemouth astatine nan City Ground connected Saturday.

Speaking astatine his pre-match news conference, Nuno added of lucifer officials: "When group show you and speak to you and you spot their desire to improve, we person to spot them and we arsenic a nine person to spot them."

BBC Sport understands nan Premier League has spoken to clubs and managers astir really nationalist disapproval of nan video adjunct referee (VAR) strategy undermines nan crippled - and that location will beryllium a caller attraction connected regulating specified comments.

Sources told BBC Sport nan Premier League felt it became excessively easy to blasted VAR arsenic a deflection.

In June, Premier League clubs voted 19-1 to support VAR for nan caller season aft Wolves triggered a ballot connected nan exertion erstwhile they formally submitted a solution successful May.

In bid for VAR to beryllium scrapped, 14 of nan 20 Premier League clubs needed to ballot successful favour of doing so, but only Wolves put their weight down nan proposal.

Changes are being implemented this season to trim delays successful nan game, pinch nan preamble of semi-automated offsides owed to beryllium included by October.