Kevin Campbell left bewildered that VAR continues to punish Everton
We’re delighted to welcome former Everton striker Kevin Campbell as our exclusive columnist. Each week the former Toffees captain will be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Goodison Park…
Former Toffee Kevin Campbell doesn’t know what to think any more, as the VAR repeatedly punishes Everton at Goodison Park.
Allan was sent off in the win over Newcastle last week (17 March) after video assistant directed referee Craig Pawson to the monitor to reconsider his initial decision to book the Brazilian for a foul on Allan Saint-Maximin.
This came less than three weeks after Rodri escaped conceding a late penalty as Manchester City escaped with a 1-0 win (26 February), with VAR Chris Kavanagh not even sending Paul Tierney for a second look, a decision that lead to an apology from referees chief Mike Riley.
Speaking exclusively to Goodison News, Campbell gave his view on the Allan red card, saying: “Well the referee gave a yellow and then VAR overruled it, it’s amazing that isn’t it? All of a sudden.
“The referee makes a decision, he’s right there, he can see it.
“I don’t know what’s what any more with the VAR and the referee. I don’t know what’s what any more.
“To me that’s a yellow card, fair enough, you take a yellow. He goes for the ball, but Saint-Maximin’s so quick, he shifts the ball so quick that he makes it look worse than it actually is.
“That’s why the referee gave him a yellow card. Then all of a sudden VAR intervenes and changes the referee’s decision. Well, changes his mind after going to have a look at it etc. He goes and gives him a red card.
“Luckily Everton went on and got the win, but that is another decision at Goodison that could have gone against the home team [in affecting the result].
“So, I don’t know what’s what any more. You leave your feet and you don’t get the ball, you leave yourself wide open to get a red card.
“Modern day football, it can be a red card, yes it can. Was it? In my opinion no, it was a yellow.”
It was a tight decision that the vast majority of observers immediately felt was a booking, but could be interpreted as a red once slowed down on replay.
It didn’t appear to be such a glaring error that it required correcting, but it must have met a set of criteria that gave Pawson no choice.
Otherwise, it is hard not to feel that the club is being kicked while it is down, with the process being used against the home side one week after not being used for them another week.
In other Everton news, the club have planned a “rigorous” individual training plan to try to get the best out of one star.
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