Government issues response to petition for Huddersfield Town to replay play-off final after 1-0 defeat

The government has explained why it rejected a petition asking for a rematch between Nottingham Forest and Huddersfield Town following the Championship play-off final at Wembley on May 29.

Forest won the match 1-0 and secured a place in the top flight next season for the first time in 23 years thanks to Levi Colwill's own goal right before half-time, NottinghamshireLive reports. Huddersfield Town fans, however, have accused retiring referee Jon Moss of "match fixing" saying there were two penalties that should have been given.

First Harry Toffolo was booked for simulation when he went down under pressure from Forest defender Jack Colback. Moss' decision was reviewed by VAR but not overruled.

Moments later, Lewis O'Brien was tackled to the ground by Max Lowe but referees did not watch a replay of the incident, meaning Forest escaped punishment. Both incidents left Huddersfield Town fans furious as they felt they had been denied two clear-cut penalties.

A petition calling for a rematch was submitted to the government on May 31 but has since been rejected. Explaining the reason why, the Parliament UK website said: "It’s about something that the UK government or parliament is not directly responsible for.

"We can only accept petitions about things the government or parliament are directly responsible for. Decisions about sporting events are a matter for their organisers, not the UK government or parliament. We only reject petitions that don’t meet the petition standards."

Terriers boss Corberan refused to blast referee Jon Moss and the VAR officials, instead he said: "I haven't watched them yet but the players who were fouled were saying if they hadn't been fouled, they would have finished the opportunities. You have