Keith Hackett has defended the referee's decision to book Nottingham Forest defender Ola Aina for his tackle on Leeds United's James Justin. The former head of the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) reviewed footage of the incident from Forest's 1-0 Premier League defeat at the City Ground.
Speaking to reporters, Hackett stated that referee Rob Jones judged the challenge accurately. "The player came in low with pace in an attempt to play the ball. The challenge was reckless and rightly received a yellow card," Hackett said. The incident was checked by VAR but the on-field decision stood. Anton Stach's late winner for Leeds meant the decision did not affect the final outcome of the match.
Keith Hackett's assessment aligns with the verdict given by fellow former referee Mike Dean on Sky Sports News. Both officials agreed that while Aina's tackle was forceful, it did not meet the threshold for a red card. The Nigerian international's challenge occurred during a tense opening weekend fixture that saw Oliver Glasner's side start their campaign with a narrow loss. You can review the team's upcoming schedule on our fixtures page.
Forest's defensive record will be a key focus for Glasner after conceding late in this match. The club's current squad, shows Aina is one of several defensive options. His pace and physicality are assets, but discipline in challenges will be important throughout the season.
The 1-0 defeat leaves Nottingham Forest seeking their first points of the new Premier League campaign. The immediate focus shifts to the Carabao Cup, where they will host Leeds United again at the City Ground on Tuesday, 25 August. This provides a quick opportunity for Glasner's team to respond after the league setback.
Maintaining a full complement of players will be vital in these early season fixtures. A red card for Aina would have left Forest with ten men for a significant portion of the match, potentially changing the result. The team's disciplinary record is one area they will aim to control as they build momentum.
The Carabao Cup second round tie represents a chance for immediate revenge. Leeds manager Daniel Farke will also be targeting a cup run this season, adding extra significance to the midweek clash. Both teams now have recent tactical knowledge of each other, which should make for another closely contested match.
Nottingham Forest's home form at the City Ground will be important for building confidence. The team's current standings position reflects the fine margins in the Premier League, where a single result can shift several places. Performing in cup competitions can also boost morale during the long league season.
Forest's next Premier League assignment after the cup tie is an away trip to face Aston Villa on Saturday, 29 August.
