Michael Ball rages at ‘daft rule’ after Everton controversy vs Ipswich resurfaces

Former Everton star Michael Ball has slammed the Premier League's Key Match Incidents Panel.

The Blues' 1-0 win over Ipswich on 19 September was rife with controversy as referee Stuart Attwell ruled out Thierno Barry's second strike of the afternoon.

The official went to the monitor and ruled that Brennan Johnson was interfering with play when he blocked goalkeeper Christian Walton.

The KMI panel has ruled three to two that the decision was right, in a verdict that was published on Wednesday.

Ball, who played 136 times for the Toffees after coming through the youth academy has hit out as the controversy resurfaced.

Ultimately, it did not matter as David Moyes' side secured three points but it has still rattled the Everton-mad pundit.

What did Michael Ball say about Thierno Barry incident?

Ball regularly has his say on all thing involving the Merseysiders, whether that is on social media or with the Liverpool Echo.

This time he took to X to berate the findings of the KMI, claiming that there was not enough common sense.

Posting on the platform on 30 September, he said: "3/2.

"So some people do have common sense, unfortunately not enough.

"Another daft rule brought in by the suits.

"We expect to see the same decision in the coming weeks."

Former PGMOL chief Keith Hackett agreed that the goal should have stood in the aftermath of the contest.

What did Hackett say about Everton vs Ipswich incident?

The ex-FIFA listed referee told Goodison News that Johnson did not interfere with the goalkeeper.

He said: "I do not believe that this goal should have been ruled out.

"My judgement is that whilst there is a player in an offside position, he has not interfered or impacted on the goalkeeper, who frankly should have moved to his right to make an attempt to make a save.

"The flight of the ball was not in the path of the goalkeeper or over the head of the player in an offside position."

However, it doesn't matter what Ball or Hackett say, the goal will stay disallowed, but it does raise an important debate about the standards of officiating in the top-flight.

The referees need to be consistent, so if a similar incident happens in a different game, the same outcome is needed, rather than the complete opposite.

Whether that happens remains to be seen, but Moyes and everyone involved with the L3 outfit need to ensure that the Premier League officials are not chopping and changing every week.

It does not seem like that is the case right now, it often feels like certain decisions go against the Blues, but in favour of other clubs.

Manchester City had a goal allowed in the Manchester Derby on 13 September, despite Enzo Fernandez clearly interfering with play, so at the moment, decisions are not consistent.