Everton lodged a formal complaint with the Premier League over the decision not to award a penalty to the home side following what appeared to be a clear handball by Rodri.
On Saturday evening, Everton hosted Manchester City at Goodison Park in what turned out to be a lot closer match than many had anticipated.
Manchester City ultimately seized the lead thanks to a late Phil Foden goal, but Everton were awarded a penalty after Rodri seemed to control the ball with his arm inside his own penalty area.
Prior to VAR’s intervention, Merseyside match referee Paul Tierney had waived play on. Chris Kavanagh, who was on duty at Stockley Park at the time, concurred and supported the on-field judgment.
Following the event, Everton manager Frank Lampard, as well as the majority of Everton fans, expressed their displeasure with the decision.
On Monday morning, Everton’s top executive, Denis Barrett-Baxendale, filed a formal complaint with the Premier League’s Richard Masters and Chief Football Officer, Tony Scholes.
According to the Liverpool Echo, Barrett-Baxendale sent both men a sharply worded memo highlighting severe concerns about the quality of officiating during recent Everton matches. At the very least, the Everton official wanted an apology from Frank Lampard and his teammates for the choice.
Mike Riley, the general manager of the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), has personally apologized to Bill Kenwright and Frank Lampard.
However, this will be of little consequence to Everton, who are still in danger of being relegated from the Premier League this season, since they believe they have missed out on a crucial point.
In a news conference on Monday, Pep Guardiola was asked about the incident, to which he replied, “If a single incident can have a season-long impact? My friend, I’m going to go through a lot of things! … Dele Alli’s ball to Richarlison appears to be offside. It’s a penalty if it’s not offside.”
WATCH VIDEO OF HANDBALL BELOW;
