Neco Williams condemns VAR as Forest lose chance for first win

Neco Williams disputed the VAR decision that ruled out what looked like a winner for Nottingham Forest against Tottenham Hotspur, leaving the match deadlocked at 0-0. The full‑back’s frustration was evident as the Reds failed to secure a first‑season victory.

Second‑half drama and the VAR call

In the second half Morgan Gibbs-White unleashed a goal‑bound shot that appeared destined for the net. Sandro Tonali and Jan Paul van Hecke scrambled back to clear the ball, but Williams pipped the Spurs duo to the rebound and headed it home from close range.

A Getty photograph captured the moment as the ball seemed to cross the line, yet VAR intervened and declared a handball. The Premier League later explained that the referee’s decision was overturned after VAR determined Williams had handled the ball before scoring, awarding a direct free‑kick to Spurs.

Reactions and wider implications

Williams posted a screenshot of the VAR replay on his Instagram, captioning it “Clear and obvious they say.” Oliver Glasner, Forest’s manager, argued that VAR consultant Peter Bankes was “guessing” and that the intervention failed the “clear and obvious” threshold.

Glasner added that the season‑opening briefing stressed a high threshold for VAR, insisting that if an incident is not 100 percent clear, the on‑field decision should stand.

The disallowed goal handed Forest an unwanted Premier League first – the first time they have not won any of their opening three matches in a season, a situation not seen since the 1990/91 campaign. They sit sixteenth with two draws and one defeat, while Spurs sit two places below after collecting their first point.

A week earlier, Forest benefited from VAR when Gibbs‑White’s penalty against Liverpool stood after VAR ruled it could not intervene on a suspected foul throw involving Liam Delap.

Williams, who signed a new contract until 2030 on Friday, reiterated his disappointment, saying the decision cost the Reds a vital opening‑season win.