Everton news: Official complaint made after Rodri handball missed

Planet Sport writer
28 February 2022

Everton have made an official complaint to the Premier League over recent decisions going against them, including the Rodri handball incident against Man City.

Everton are reportedly 'absolutely incandescent' after they were not awarded a penalty against City during their 1-0 defeat at Goodison at the weekend.

Frank Lampard was lost for words that VAR official Chris Kavanagh viewed what looked conclusive footage and still denied them a late penalty against the Premier League champions.

On-field referee Paul Tierney had his view obstructed but Kavanagh, reviewing the footage, failed to even send Tierney to the pitchside monitor to review the incident.

The result left Everton in even deeper relegation trouble, and now it's thought that they are demanding at least an apology after what they see as a blatant penalty being missed.

"The decision is incredible, incredible, and that loses us the opportunity to get what we deserved," said Lampard.

"That's a VAR call. That's Chris Kavanagh, I spoke to the referee and they know it is a penalty.

"It's a penalty, there's no doubt about that."

Dermot Gallagher admits Paul Tierney and the VAR made a big mistake in not awarding Everton a late penalty against Manchester City...😬#RefWatch pic.twitter.com/fomvnC7B5K
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) February 28, 2022

"Incompetence at best, at worst who knows? I'll wait for the statement or apology they do when things are wrong but it will mean nothing."

Even former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher, speaking to Sky Sports News, couldn't defend the officials in this case.

"It is a penalty, no doubt," he said. "I think the VAR inspected it for too long. There are a couple of angles that may have affected the decision.

"He got seduced by the first angle going into the second angle.

"We can't change the past. Most people will agree it's a penalty. I know that's not going to help Everton but we've got to learn that if one angle is inconclusive, focus on the angle that is conclusive. That's the message.

"Paul Tierney is looking through players, he can't see the incident and Rodri is covering him. I think this should have been a VAR decision."