Everton appeal decision on Dominic Calvert-Lewin shared after FA Cup controversy
Everton have decided to appeal against Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s controversial red card versus Crystal Palace, according to the Daily Mail.
The newspaper reported on its website on Friday (5 January) that the Toffees have challenged Chris Kavanagh’s decision as they are eager to understand how the referee came to the decision the striker’s challenge warranted a sending-off.
Calvert-Lewin’s second-half tackle on Nathaniel Clyne at Selhurst Park was initially unpunished by the on-field referee before he changed his mind after a lengthy VAR check and gave the England international his marching orders.
Should the Toffees’ forward ban not be overturned, he will miss Premier League fixtures against Aston Villa and Fulham as well as the FA Cup third-round replay of the clash with Palace at Goodison Park.
Get it changed
Hopefully, with a second look at it, the FA will have the common sense to undo their mistake and remove Calvert-Lewin’s punishment for what was a perfectly good tackle. The Everton striker didn’t even connect with Clyne and on first watch, Kavanagh seemed to be okay with the effort.
How and why he changed his mind following such a lengthy VAR check remains to be seen, but for whatever reason, he deemed the challenge to be severe enough to send off the England international. Surely, given the outrage, that decision cannot be held up on appeal.
Too often these sorts of terrible calls are being made at such crucial times of matches and they have genuine repercussions on the clubs affected. Everton may now be without their star striker for some crucial matches as they fight against Premier League relegation.
Surely, following the appeal and the outrage from the footballing world, this decision will be changed and Calvert-Lewin will be available once again. Any other decision will just be yet another error from the Premier League and FA’s officials.
In other Everton news, Alan Brazil has labelled the officials “clowns” after the incident during the clash at Selhurst Park