Edu leaves Nottingham Forest after turbulent spell
Edu leaves Nottingham Forest after turbulent spell. Global head of football Edu leaves Nottingham Forest after just over a year at the City Ground.
What happened
Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, The appointment of former Brazil midfielder Edu last season was seen as a coup for Nottingham ForestByNick MashiterFootball news reporterPublished1 hour agoGlobal head of football Edu has left Nottingham Forest after just over a year at the City Ground. Related topicsPremier LeagueNottingham ForestFootballMore on this storyNew video shows Williams handball – but won't end VAR rowPublished7 hours ago There was an errorNew video footage shows the ball coming off Neco Williams' arm before his disallowed goal for Nottingham Forest in the 0-0 draw against Tottenham.
The Nottingham Forest defender bundled the ball home in the 67th minute but video assistant referee Peter Bankes stepped in to rule out the goal for accidental handball. Nottingham Forest have been approached for comment. Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Neco Williams would have given Nottingham Forest a 67th-minute lead if the goal had been allowed to standMuch of the commentary on the incident has centred around the VAR not having evidence of a clear and obvious error as a reason to disallow the goal.
Related topicsPremier LeagueFootballNottingham ForestTottenham Hotspur'Not Football Manager' – De Zerbi says misfiring Spurs need timePublished1 day agoGlasner and Williams dispute VAR call over Forest handballPublished1 day agoMore on this storyPremier League indexPremier League tablePremier League fixtures
The wider picture
His position came under the spotlight after a falling-out with Nuno Espirito Santo, who was sacked last September, the first of four managers at Forest last season. Edu is not expected to be replaced, with Forest's chief football officer George Syrianos assuming his responsibilities. Williams and Forest manager Oliver Glasner were adamant after the match that there was no proof the ball touched an arm. The new camera angle was not one of those available to Bankes during the game – so it is unlikely to end the anger from Forest fans over the validity of the intervention, even if we know the VAR was ultimately correct.
For all Forest's disquiet, there are plenty of people who believe you can see the handball, and Bankes was clearly one of those. The former Arsenal midfielder has not attended a games since February and his exit, with his contract believed to have been terminated, has been expected. Nuno hinted at internal tensions and said at the time his relationship with owner Evangelos Marinakis had changed. Appointed in July 2025, Edu's remit included Greek side Olympiacos and Portuguese club Rio Ave, who are also owned by Marinakis.
What has been reported
He arrived after six years at Arsenal, where he became the club's first sporting director in 2022, having won two Premier League titles and two FA Cups as a player with the Gunners. He brought Mikel Arteta to Emirates Stadium, who delivered the club's first Premier League title in 22 years last season. Edu's departure comes after former Olympiacos vice-president Theodore Giannikos was appointed chief executive last week. He replaced Lina Souloukou, who stepped down from the role at the City Ground at the end of last season.
New camera angle shows Williams' disallowed goal hit armThis content is not available in your location. SubsectionPremier LeaguePublished5 hours agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingRelated topicsPremier LeagueFollow Premier Leagueclose panelYou are now following Premier LeagueUpdates from your Sport topics will appear in My Sport and in a collection on the Sport homepage. FootballFollow Footballclose panelYou are now following FootballUpdates from your Sport topics will appear in My Sport and in a collection on the Sport homepage.
Figure caption, New camera angle shows the ball hitting Williams' arm in the lead-up to disallowed goalByDale JohnsonFootball issues correspondentPublished5 hours agoNew video footage has been released that shows the ball coming off Neco Williams' arm in the lead-up to his disallowed goal in the 0-0 draw against Tottenham Hotspur.
What happens next
While the footage vindicates the VAR's decision, it may not end the arguments about the decision to rule out the goal. 'At not one moment did I think I handballed it'It has been a tough couple of days for Bankes, because while the VAR was 100% confident he had made the correct decision, it has attracted intense media scrutiny. He will now feel vindicated – but there is one important distinction to make. On the new footage, Williams touches the ball with his left arm then his right forearm before it goes into the net.
The VAR hub only has access to the broadcast cameras, and this camera was one of several which does not transmit as part of match coverage. Bankes believed the proof on the angles he had available came from the ripple of Williams' shirt as the ball touched his right forearm. Former midfielder Danny Murphy said on Match of the Day he could understand the argument for the handball but was not convinced the goal should have been ruled out.
"Maybe it could be a tiny bit on his sleeve or right forearm.
The report has been compiled by The Daily Waves using information reported across bbc.co.uk. Details are presented according to the information available at the time of publication and may change as authorities, organisers or other relevant parties provide updates.