Star sold by Nottingham Forest involved in controversial World Cup call slammed by Gary Neville

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The World Cup might only be four days old, but one player formerly involved with Nottingham Forest has been caught up in a VAR storm.

With Dan Ndoye struggling for Switzerland in front of goal, his country were left to rue wastefulness as Qatar snatched a late equaliser.

It was the first point that the 2022 hosts have ever claimed at a World Cup and left the Swiss with work to do in their group that also features Bosnia and Canada.

Ndoye is currently a Forest player, but in the summer of 2025, the Reds opted to offload Remo Freuler, and it was the Swiss number eight who was at the centre of a VAR storm during this clash.

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Gary Neville slams VAR call during World Cup

Neville remains banned from the City Ground after some words towards Evangelos Marinakis a couple of seasons ago.

Last night he weighed in on the decision made by VAR to allow a Switzerland penalty to stand, despite ex-Forest man Freuler looking miles offside in the replay.

Freuler was taken out by the Qatar goalkeeper, with the referee pointing to the spot.

One replay appeared enough to show that the ex-Forest man was clearly offside but the penalty stood and Breel Embolo stepped up to score.

Neville couldn’t believe the call and said: “We all think it, and everyone will think it at home. FIFA are the host broadcaster; they’ve got the evidence of the automatic decision which they can show us, why are they not showing us.

“They did this in the last tournament. Fans are already distrusting FIFA and the technology to start with. There is a massive question mark over that, because that is offside in my eyes.

“It’s like a dictator. Honestly, it’s a dictatorship, this. The idea that they hold this evidence internally and don’t show fans of countries that are playing in tournaments. It’s absolutely ridiculous.”

VAR appears to continue having flaws even in the World Cup, much like it does in the Premier League.

Neville is spot on with his assessment and although FIFA will feel the technology was right, it’s important they show their working to supporters.

Criticism will always come from decisions like the one involving former Forest man Freuler, and it’s time for football to start thinking about the supporters for a change.