Bitter Nottingham Forest launch complaint to UEFA over standard of refereeing during embarrassing 3-2 defeat by FC Midtjylland as pressure grows on Ange Postecoglou

Nottingham Forest have complained to UEFA about the standard of the officials in their 3-2 home defeat by FC Midtjylland in the Europa League.

Daily Mail Sport revealed on Friday that the result had cast significant doubt over the future of boss Ange Postecoglou, who is only six games into his tenure at the City Ground but is still looking for his first victory.

Forest are thought to be aggrieved at the way referee Willy Delajod managed the game. Despite Midtjylland’s physical style, Delajod booked only one of their players – wing-back Kevin Mbabu – but cautioned three from Forest: Morato, Igor Jesus and Morgan Gibbs-White. 

Forest were also frustrated at the stop-start nature of the officiating which they believe stopped them building a head of steam. A particularly rough challenge by Denil Castillo on Elliot Anderson early in the game was somehow punished only with a warning.

Forest will decide during the international break whether to stick with Postecoglou if their winless streak is extended at Newcastle on Sunday.

The Midtjylland game saw home fans turn on Postecoglou. They chanted 'You're getting sacked in the morning' and sang for former boss Nuno Espírito Santo - himself dismissed by Forest only last month and now at West Ham.

Forest travel to Newcastle in the Premier League on Sunday ahead of a two-week international break. Postecoglou desperately needs to turn the tide with a victory at St James' Park, which would be Forest's first in any competition since the opening day of the season.