Nottingham Forest forced to issue urgent statement over Elliot Anderson incident at Braga Municipal Stadium

Nottingham Forest forced to issue urgent statement over Elliot Anderson incident at Braga Municipal Stadium

Nottingham Forest have been forced to issue an urgent statement following a dramatic incident involving midfielder Elliot Anderson during their UEFA Europa League defeat to Sporting Braga at the Municipal Stadium.

The match, which ended in a disappointing 1-0 loss for the Premier League side, was already marred by a missed penalty from Morgan Gibbs-White and a bizarre own goal by Ryan Yates. Tensions boiled over in stoppage time when Anderson, a substitute, was shown a straight red card by Croatian referee Igor Pajac. The dismissal appeared to stem from comments Anderson made to the official, leaving fans and commentators baffled by the severity of the punishment.

In their official statement, Nottingham Forest strongly defended their player, insisting that Anderson’s words were not harsh or abusive. The club described the exchange as a legitimate request for fair play and clarification on a decision, rather than any form of dissent warranting a red card. “Elliot was simply seeking fairness in the heat of the moment,” the statement read. “His comments were measured and aimed at promoting respect on the pitch, not at insulting the referee.”

Forest have formally requested that the red card be revoked, arguing that the punishment is disproportionate and could unfairly impact Anderson’s availability for upcoming fixtures, including their crucial final Europa League group match. The club emphasized Anderson’s professionalism and commitment, highlighting his growing influence in the squad since his arrival.

The incident has sparked debate among pundits, with some viewing it as overly strict enforcement, while others noted the referee’s swift reaction. Forest now face an anxious wait for UEFA’s response, hoping to clear Anderson’s name and avoid a suspension that could hinder their European campaign.