Nuno Espirito Santo, who has stated that he wants to bring “peace” to referees, questioned the quality of officiating after his Nottingham Forest team lost to Fulham.

After a protracted review by the video assistant referee (VAR) caused referee Josh Smith to examine the pitchside monitor, Raul Jimenez’s penalty gave Fulham a 1-0 victory. After seeing the incident on replay, Smith concluded that Forest defender Murillo had dragged his studs on Fulham’s Andreas Pereira’s calf.

Nuno had sworn to trust the officials and to quit whining about them before the season’s opening game. The Football Association charged the 50-year-old earlier this week after he was sent off during Forest’s 2-2 draw with Brighton on Sunday. Nuno, nevertheless, took issue with the referees’ call when Fulham was given the penalty kick after Forest’s perfect start to the season was ended in a close match at the City Ground.

“We all want peace and to continue well and don’t want to come here to speak about the referees. But wasn’t that a horrible thing? stated Nuno during a press conference. “I strive to give referees tranquilly. Although they are making an effort to get better, today wasn’t the best. He didn’t perform well today, so maybe he gets better.”