Explained: Why Matt Turner got booked for Nottingham Forest against Fulham despite not leaving subs' bench with USMNT goalkeeper shouting 'f*** off' after decision

Turner was once again named on the bench by manager Nuno Espirito Santo as January signing Matz Sels took his place in the Forest goal. That didn't stop the USMNT star getting stuck into the action, though, as he intervened to stop Fulham restarting play quickly in the second half. Despite never actually coming onto the field of play, Turner was booked by the referee.

Despite not technically coming off the bench, Turner left his seat at the City Ground to kick a second ball back into play, thus stopping Fulham from restarting the game quickly. That deliberate act of gamesmanship is deemed a bookable offence and so the referee showed the yellow. Per Standard reporter Dom Smith, the USMNT keeper responded to that decision with a shout of "f*ck off" in the official's direction.

Fulham were chasing the game at the point after a scintillating first-half display from Forest. Goals from Callum Hudson-Odoi, Chris Wood and Morgan Gibbs-White put Espirito Santo's side into a dominant 3-0 lead, with a Tosin Adarabioyo effort shortly after the break not enough for the visitors. Turner's USMNT team-mate Gio Reyna even made a brief cameo for the home side as Forest saw out a vital win for their Premier League survival.

That 3-1 win sees Forest climb three points away from the relegation zone and into 17th, just a point off Everton in 16th who got a respectable 1-1 draw away at Newcastle at the same time. Despite having an inferior goal difference Luton could move level on points with Forest if they win on Wednesday, although they face a tough test against title challengers Arsenal away from home.