Report: Edinson Cavani escapes ban for Mina altercation in Everton clash v Man Utd
Edinson Cavani has escaped an FA ban after the Manchester United striker had an altercation with Yerry Mina in last week’s Carabao Cup match against Everton, according to The Telegraph.
The Toffees lost 2-0 to the Red Devils in the League Cup quarter-final as Carlo Ancelotti’s side missed a great opportunity to advance to the last four of the competition.
In the second half of the game, Cavani and Mina tussled on the halfway line and the Everton defender was forced to the floor as the United man looked to grab Mina around the throat.
As VAR was not in operation at Goodison Park, referee Andy Madley was unable to watch the incident again and take action.
The Telegraph’s report does state that Madley saw the incident but he didn’t see anything wrong with it, which is how Cavani has escaped a ban.
The fact that Madley saw the incident and decided to not take action is simply shambolic and that poor decision had a huge impact on the outcome of the match.
Cavani scored United’s first after he should’ve received his marching orders for violent conduct.
This goal proved to be the catalyst for the Red Devils’ late surge which saw an Anthony Martial strike secure a 2-0 win.
Everton fans were rightly annoyed by this decision as their side had the chance to reach the last four of a domestic cup in a bid to end the club’s 25-year trophy drought.
The rule about the FA being unable to punish a player for an incident that a referee saw is incredibly frustrating and it should be revised.
Cavani has managed to get away with violent conduct and a lengthy ban because of one referee’s poor decision making.
A ban for Cavani would’ve proved to be a small consolation for Toffees fans after the quart-final loss and they have every right to be annoyed with the FA.
In other Everton news, Carlo Ancelotti has dismissed the suggestion that his side are in the title race.