Referees Chief Apologizes to Nottingham Forest Over Controversial Handball Goal

Tuesday, May 19, 2026

Howard Webb, chief of referees, apologized to Nottingham Forest after a handball by Bryan Mbeumo was mistakenly allowed to stand in Manchester United’s 3-2 win, despite a VAR review. The admission highlights ongoing concerns about inconsistent handball decisions and has prompted calls for clearer rules and improved communication between officials and managers.

Howard Webb, chief of referees, has issued an apology to Nottingham Forest following a contentious decision during their match against Manchester United on Sunday. The incident involved a handball by Bryan Mbeumo in the build-up to Matheus Cunha’s goal, which was allowed to stand by referee Michael Salisbury despite a pitchside review.

The match, held at Old Trafford, ended in a 3-2 victory for Manchester United. Cunha’s goal had restored United’s lead after Forest had equalized earlier in the second half through Morato. Morgan Gibbs-White later narrowed the margin to one goal in the 77th minute, but Manchester United held on for the win, with Luke Shaw, Cunha, and Mbeumo all scoring.

Forest manager Vitor Pereira expressed significant frustration with the referee’s decision to uphold the goal. After consulting the video assistant referee (VAR) system and a pitchside monitor, Salisbury ruled the handball by Mbeumo "accidental," allowing the goal to stand. Pereira challenged this interpretation strongly, insisting the handball was clear and lamenting its impact on the match outcome.

“I must accept the decision, but it’s not my opinion. For me, it’s handball, very clear,” Pereira said. He emphasized the importance of clarity around the rules for all managers, suggesting that a collective meeting with match officials is needed to address ongoing confusion about certain decisions. Pereira also warned that such controversy could pose a serious issue if Forest were involved in a relegation battle, highlighting the wider implications of refereeing inconsistencies.

Following the match, Webb personally contacted Nottingham Forest to acknowledge that the referee’s decision was incorrect. The acknowledgment underscores a growing debate within the football community regarding the interpretation and application of handball rules in critical match situations.

The controversy adds to ongoing discussions about the consistency and transparency of officiating in the Premier League, with managers and officials alike calling for clearer communication and better understanding of the rules governing handball and VAR interventions.