Nuno Espirito Santo still has faith in referees despite insisting the situation surrounding Morgan Gibbs-White’s red card was a “mess”.
The Nottingham Forest boss was sent off in the 2-2 draw at Brighton on Sunday in the aftermath of Gibbs-White’s dismissal.
The England international walked after being given a second yellow card for his 83rd-minute challenge on Joao Pedro.
The pair have been charged by the Football Association for their reactions but Nuno will be on the touchline for the visit of Fulham on Saturday after Forest were given until Wednesday [2 October] to present their observations.
Nuno said at the start of the season he trusted the officials – after Forest’s high profile issues last term – and Sunday’s red cards has not changed that.
“Not at all. We are positive there has been a big effort from referees to improve and make things right and not influence the game,” said Nuno, who confirmed he apologised to the officials for his reaction after the game.
“We trust them and are here to support them. But the game is the game.
“Up until today I saw the image many times and I’m not sure sometimes. It looks like a yellow card sometimes, others it’s a good tackle. It’s a hard one to judge.
“That’s why I think us as a club and all the clubs should support the referee as it’s a tough task.
“It’s very difficult. In that moment Morgan made that effort for the team.
“We were unbalanced, knowing that any goal in that particular moment of the game would be definitive. It’s emotional, we are under a lot of stress.”
The Key Match Incidents Panel was split 3-2 over Gibbs-White’s red card with the majority believing official Robert Jones was wrong to issue a second caution.
But Nuno conceded the confusion, after referee Jones signalled with his hands Gibbs-White – who will miss the visit of the Cottagers – won the ball, did not help.
“That was the mess. But let’s hope they improve and we continue,” he said, with Forest unbeaten in their opening five Premier League games.
“I don’t want to see it as a problem. I see it as a very hard job to do.”
