FA to ask Frank Lampard to explain referee comments after Everton controversy at Liverpool
Frank Lampard is set to be contacted by the FA to explain comments he made about Stuart Attwell after Everton lost at Liverpool, The Athletic reports.
The Toffees lost 2-0 at Anfield in a game that saw a number of controversial decisions go against them, including the non-award of a penalty for an apparent foul on Anthony Gordon by Joel Matip.
The decision was also reportedly checked by the video assistant who saw no cause to refer it back to Attwell.
After the game Lampard said, via The Athletic: “It was a penalty. If that was Mo Salah at the other end, he gets a penalty.
“You don’t get them here (Anfield). That’s the reality of football sometimes.
“If you look back with that on VAR, there’s questionable things going on, maybe that’s to be expected when you come here.”
Now The Athletic report says: “The FA are to ask Everton manager Frank Lampard to explain his comments about referee Stuart Attwell after the club’s Premier League derby defeat by Liverpool, The Athletic understands.”
Insult to injury
As if it wasn’t bad enough that another big decision has gone against the club at a crucial time, it now appears that the manager is set for trouble for being upset by it.
Gordon was earlier booked for what was a dive, but the later incident appeared a clear penalty, as the Reds defender stood on his foot and barged him over.
Added to this, Sadio Mane only saw yellow for jabbing his finger into Mason Holgate’s face.
The Toffees feel particularly aggrieved with officials as other high profile incidents have gone against them as they battle relegation.
Referees boss Mike Riley called the club to apologise when a handball by Rodri in the 1-0 loss to Manchester City at Goodison was not awarded or referred back by the VAR, and the club want Riley to explain the latest controversy.
Allan was also sent off by Craig Pawson in the 1-0 win over Newcastle, with Attwell the video assistant that night who suggested he needed to overturn his original decision of a booking.
If the Toffees boss ends up being punished for his understandable frustration following the Merseyside derby it will be a major example of being kicked while he’s down.
In other Everton news, Danny Murphy told Dele Alli to copy one Chelsea player to become the club’s “saviour”.
Be sure to follow Goodison News on Facebook for 24/7 updates on Everton plus more exclusive interviews with Kevin Campbell.