Nottingham Forest duo Nuno Espirito Santo and Morgan Gibbs-White have been charged by the Football Association (FA) following the late drama at the end of Sunday’s 2-2 draw with Brighton & Hove Albion.
Brighton head coach Fabian Hurzeler is also facing potential sanctions from the FA, following the flashpoint that surrounded Gibbs-White’s sending off in the 83rd minute.
Referee Rob Jones showed the Forest midfielder a second yellow card for his challenge on Joao Pedro, right in front of the dugouts.
Jones had initially signalled that Gibbs-White had won the ball in the tackle, before opting to send him off after consultation with his assistants, including fourth official Anthony Taylor.
Forest head coach Nuno — who had seen Jones wrongly send off Willy Boly during his first game in charge of Forest back in December — reacted angrily to the decision. He has been charged with acting “in an improper manner and/or used abusive and/or insulting words towards a match official”.
It is alleged that Gibbs-White “acted in an improper manner and/or used abusive and/or insulting words towards the fourth official” after being sent off.
Hurzeler has also been charged with “acting in an improper manner” following the incident.
Forest assistant coach Rui Silva said after the game that he did not believe Nuno had said anything that would merit a red card.
“It is emotional and you are going to defend your player and your team,” said Rui. “But saying something that goes against the referee, no – I did not hear him say anything that justified a red card.”
Forest had been frustrated by the manner in which Jones had been persuaded to change his mind over his initial decision, with clubs having been told, at the annual referees meeting this summer, that extra emphasis would be placed on the referee’s call on the pitch.
Nuno and Gibbs-White are suspended for the visit of Fulham to the City Ground this weekend.
All three men have until Friday to provide their responses to the charges.
(David Horton – CameraSport via Getty Images)
