Nottingham Forest have received an apology from the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) after the organization admitted a significant refereeing error contributed to their 3-2 Premier League defeat against Manchester United on Sunday, May 17, 2026.
The controversy centered on a goal awarded to Manchester United that should have been disallowed. PGMOL acknowledged that the goal was wrongly given due to an error by the match officials. The apology was confirmed by multiple sources, including the BBC and Sky Sports, on May 18, 2026.
Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espírito Santo expressed frustration after the match, stating that the decision had a major impact on the result. The club has not indicated whether it will seek further action, but the apology from PGMOL is seen as a rare admission of fault.
The incident has reignited debates about the use of VAR and the consistency of officiating in the Premier League. PGMOL has pledged to review the incident as part of ongoing efforts to improve refereeing standards.
