Ex-FIFA official rages at controversial Everton incident v Crystal Palace, ‘Stick to law’
Keith Hackett has pleaded with referees to stick to the laws of officiating following the sending off of Dominic Calvert-Lewin for Everton against Crystal Palace on Thursday (4 January).
The former FIFA official tweeted on Thursday that the England international’s second-half challenge on Nathaniel Clyne in the FA Cup clash was “not a red card” as the Toffees drew 0-0 at Selhurst Park.
He questioned where officiating is going after referee Chris Kavanagh originally decided to not give a foul before Craig Pawson on VAR decided to intervene and recommend an on-field review to send the 26-year-old forward off.
“Where is officiating going when two so-called top referees decide that Calvert-Lewin’s challenge was a red card? asked Hackett.
“Ref Kavanagh in a good position, rightly did not even blow for a foul. Then VAR Pawson intervenes. Please refs stick to law. This is not a red card.”
Incompetent
It was a sign of sheer incompetence by the officials to send Calvert-Lewin off against Crystal Palace as the decision has caused outrage across the footballing world.
The worrying thing is that both Kavanagh and Pawson are vastly experienced referees, yet somehow they have got this one so wrong despite reviewing the footage for several minutes.
It’s almost as if the VAR officials are getting bored just sitting watching the games, to the point where they will do anything to get involved with the action.
There have been so many poor decisions made at the highest level this season and something surely has to give because it can’t continue to have such a huge impact on matches.
If the Toffees had lost that game in the closing stages due to the decision, then it would’ve been an absolute travesty, given that their fans had travelled in numbers across the country to support their team.
It’s time for this ridiculous to end. But one thing is clear, VAR isn’t the issue, it’s the officials in charge of it.
In other Everton news, Paul Brown has mooted a new contract for an exit-linked Toffees player.