Wolves star Daniel Podence escapes red card against Nottingham Forest, after appearing to SPIT at Brennan Johnson... as Wales international admits he agrees with VAR's decision that it 'didn't happen'

  • Daniel Podence appeared to spit in the direction of Forest's Brennan Johnson
  • The incident occurred late into the 1-1 draw, where Podence had scored earlier 
  • VAR reviewed the incident but ruled against taking further action against him 

Daniel Podence faces an anxious wait to see if he will be investigated for a potential spitting incident during Wolves’ stormy draw at Nottingham Forest.

Shortly after the Portuguese substitute’s 83rd-minute equaliser, VAR examined a potential red card incident for an altercation between Podence and Brennan Johnson, who put Forest ahead in the first half.

It followed a brawl between the benches soon after the break that resulted in red cards for Forest assistant Alan Tate and Wolves No2 Pablo Sanz. 


Asked about the Podence incident, Johnson said: ‘I don't want to talk about it too much. I saw a motion come from him but they looked at it and it didn't happen. I think it's just high emotion. I don't remember it clearly.’

Forest boss Steve Cooper added: ‘I have seen it back and spoken to Brennan. I am not going to add fuel to fire because there are pictures and video. We trust the authorities to deal with it and we will trust that processes will kick in. I don’t want to say any more than that.’

Wolves winger Daniel Podence (left) had a lucky escape after VAR ruled that he did not spit in the direction of Nottingham Forest's Brennan Johnson, who opened the scoring for the hosts

Wolves winger Daniel Podence (left) had a lucky escape after VAR ruled that he did not spit in the direction of Nottingham Forest's Brennan Johnson, who opened the scoring for the hosts

Tempers flared late in the match after both of the forwards had found the net for their sides

Tempers flared late in the match after both of the forwards had found the net for their sides

It is thought the VAR did not identify conclusive evidence of a spit which is why no punishment was imposed at the time. 

On the brawl, Cooper added: ‘I know there has been a lot of ill-discipline on the touchline since Wolves changed of manager which I haven’t got a problem with until we come up against them. 

'We can't let opposition staff dominate the officials. We have to stand up for it. I have zero complaints with our staff.’

Lopetegui added: ‘We all have a responsibility to show respect. We are fighting for big things but there are a lot of children watching us and we have to keep respect in the games as well as emotion. Respect is sacred for me.’

Podence notched his sixth goal of the Premier League season with seven minutes remaining

Podence notched his sixth goal of the Premier League season with seven minutes remaining 

Both men had already made their marks on the match prior to the incident occurring in added time, with Johnson scoring the first goal of the match. 

The Wales international tucked the ball into the bottom corner of the goal from a tight angle to give Cooper's side the lead in the match. 

It looked as though the hosts may have been heading for the win before Podence popped up with a goal in the final ten minutes of the match. 

The result leaves the two sides 13th and 14th in the league table, with the visitors ahead by one point.