Mark Clattenburg, the former Premier League referee, has been appointed by Nottingham Forest as their new referees’ analyst.
Clattenburg has most recently been the lead referee in BBC TV show Gladiators but is now in place at Forest in a key position.
The 48-year-old was in attendance at the City Ground for Forest’s home match against West Ham on Saturday, and was with the club’s owner Evangelos Marinakis before kick-off. Tony Scholes, the Premier League’s chief football officer, was also present at the match.
Forest have been frustrated over a number of decisions by officials and video assistant referee this season, and the appointment of Clattenburg is regarded as a move to improve understanding and relationships.
Clattenburg was a leading official in the Premier League for 13 years before his departure in 2017.
His most notable role since leaving English football was as Saudi Arabia’s Head of Refereeing. He has also held positions as a professional referee in China and in August 2022 was appointed as president of the Egyptian Referees Committee.
Forest have lodged three official complaints to the PGMOL this season about officiating decisions.
In August last year, the club expressed their “anger” at the performance of Stuart Attwell and his officials in the 3-2 defeat by Manchester United, where Joe Worrall was sent off for a challenge on Bruno Fernandes despite Willy Boly appearing to be a covering defender.
They also issued a complaint to PGMOL following Boly’s dismissal in the 3-2 defeat by Bournemouth before Christmas, which Nuno revealed triggered an apology from referees’ chief Howard Webb.
In January they also complained over the conduct of Brentford forward Ivan Toney in the 3-2 defeat, after he appeared to move the foam before taking a free-kick.
