Steve Cooper to face 2 years ban from fa after his post match interview statement about west ham, Referee and fa – he shouldn’t have said that
In a dramatic twist following Nottingham Forest’s 2-1 victory over West Ham United at the London Stadium, manager Steve Cooper now faces a possible two-year ban from the Football Association (FA) due to explosive post-match comments that have shocked the football community and ignited a heated debate about freedom of speech and respect for officiating in the game.
Forest’s win was one to celebrate. The Reds delivered a confident and composed performance, securing all three points away from home and continuing their steady climb in the Premier League table. However, the attention quickly turned to Cooper’s highly charged interview, which aired just minutes after the final whistle.
Despite securing a clean-sheet victory, Cooper lashed out at the match officials, the FA, and even made controversial remarks about the fairness of fixtures involving top London clubs.
“At a point It feels like we’re not just playing against eleven men anymore,” Cooper said on live television. “There’s an agenda against us but we struggle to win. You see it every week decisions always seem to go a certain way when it’s clubs like West Ham. The FA turns a blind eye, and I’m fed up with it.”
His tone and choice of words were quickly condemned by several pundits and governing bodies, with sources within the FA confirming that Cooper is now under formal investigation for bringing the game into disrepute and questioning the integrity of match officials.
FA Reaction Swift and Strong
The FA wasted little time in responding. A statement released the following day confirmed that Cooper’s comments were being “urgently reviewed” and could lead to a lengthy suspension, with the maximum punishment being a two-year touchline and media ban under Rule E3.1 of the FA Regulations a rule that prohibits improper conduct or statements that attack the integrity of referees and governing bodies.
According to sources, FA officials were “deeply concerned” that such strong statements were made in a moment of victory, rather than frustration after a loss a factor which they believe suggests a premeditated outburst rather than a heat-of-the-moment emotional reaction.
Backlash and Divided Opinion
The football world is sharply divided over the fallout. Many Forest fans have defended Cooper, praising his courage to speak openly about what they view as long-standing biases in English football. Hashtags like #StandWithSteve trended on X (formerly Twitter) following the news of the potential ban.
On the other side, prominent figures in the game have criticized the manager’s actions.
“You can’t win a game and then go on air and claim the whole system is rigged,” said former England international and Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp. “That undermines the sport. There are proper channels for complaints this wasn’t it.”
Others, like ex-referee Mark Clattenburg, warned about the long-term damage such comments could have on referee morale and respect in the game.
“We already have a referee shortage at grassroots level. When top-flight managers go on national TV and suggest officials are biased, it filters down. It’s dangerous,” Clattenburg said.
While Nottingham Forest have not yet issued an official statement, insiders suggest that the club is “very concerned” and has already held meetings with Cooper to discuss the legal and reputational implications. Some sources hint that Forest may consider issuing an apology on Cooper’s behalf in an attempt to soften the FA’s disciplinary outcome.
If the two-year ban is enforced, it would be one of the harshest punishments ever given to a Premier League manager, potentially barring Cooper from touchline duties and media obligations until the end of the 2026–27 season.
The FA is expected to conclude its review within the next week, after which Cooper will be formally charged or cleared. If charged, he will have the option to appeal, though the severity of the remarks and the context surrounding them could work against him.
