24 January 2024 , 17:24
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Nuno Espirito Santo has called for a change in the law on ball displacement after being told VAR could not have stepped in to stop Ivan Toney’s controversial free-kick.
Nottingham Forest's boss contacted the referees’ body, the Professional Game Match Officials Ltd, after Brentford’s striker marked his return from a ban on gambling last Saturday by finding the net.
Toney slotted a free-kick into the bottom corner of Matt Turner’s goal after moving the ball to a more favourable spot once it had been placed by ref Darren England.
Nuno was upset that the officials did not intervene before the dead ball was taken and complained to PGMOL. He received a reply and responded by calling for VAR to step in if they see a player has changed the position of the ball.
He said: “We did receive a response. The law says that VAR can do nothing about ball displacement. I think they should look at it. Changes are a reality in the game.
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“At the same time, we have a responsibility. We should have said something at the point when the free-kick was taken.
“It was too bad that neither the referee nor the assistant spotted it. He should have seen it. He’s drawn a line and the ball’s been moved.”
Nuno added that he wasn’t sure if they would amend VAR to allow Stockley Park to intervene in the future. He said: “They didn’t say they would alter the law but they just said that at the moment, VAR can do nothing about it.
Ivan Toney curled his free-kick around the wall after subtly moving the ball (Andrew Kearns/Getty Images)"It’s our responsibility but the referee should have seen it. He’s drawn a line and it’s been moved. But we should see it, as well.
“However, I’m pleased there has been dialogue. That’s the most important aspect. If you are trying to fix things, talking makes things better.
“It is good to share opinions and, probably, this incident won’t happen again because they are going to be more careful about it in the future.”