- Dominic Calvert-Lewin was shown a straight red card following a VAR review
- Everton have officially announced they will appeal against his three match ban
- It’s about survival! FA Cup replays must remain for the good of English football – It’s All Kicking Off
New footage has shown Everton captain Seamus Coleman’s stunned reaction to Dominic Calvert-Lewin‘s red card in the club’s FA Cup third round tie against Crystal Palace.
Calvert-Lewin was sent off for a challenge in the 78th minute of the 0-0 draw at Selhurst Park, despite referee Chris Kavanagh initially let the challenge pass without even awarding a free-kick.
Kavanagh changed his decision after a consultation with VAR Craig Pawson and watching the incident on the touchline monitor.
Footage has emerged on social media of Coleman, Everton’s captain, watching Kavanagh review the tackle.
Coleman, James Tarkowski and Dwight McNeil were seen watching the footage from behind the referee.
Footage has shown Seamus Coleman’s reaction as Chris Kavanagh watched the tackle
Kavanagh returned from the pitchside monitor to shown Dominic Calvert-Lewin a red card
Dominic Calvert-Lewin was sent off for this tackle on Nathaniel Clyne in the second half
Having watched a replay of the incident, Coleman could be seeing waving his arms in protest before pleading with the linesman.
Tarkowski and McNeil also appear visibly stunned the tackle was being considered as a possible red card offence, with the duo seen shouting towards Kavanagh.
The referee ultimately returned to the pitch and showed Calvert-Lewin a straight red card, with the forward being sent off for the first time in his career.
Crystal Palace’s Joachim Andersen had also been seen shaking the hand of Calvert-Lewin and mouthing ‘it’s not a red’ to the Everton striker following the incident.
Everton were able to hold on with 10 men to secure a third round replay, with manager Sean Dyche admitting post-match that his patience with VAR was running thin.
Coleman added post-match: ‘When you slow it down, it’s always going to look that bit worse. From where I was, it was a great tackle. I saw the replay after, and I don’t know who the fingers need to be pointed at.
‘When you see the referee goes over there, you know he’s going to give a red card.
‘It’s been a big talking point, and for me, that’s not a red card. It’s another decision that goes against us that maybe won’t get talked about as much.’
Everton captain Coleman continued the Toffees protests against Calvert-Lewin’s dismissal
Everton have confirmed they will appeal against the red card shown to Calvert-Lewin
Crystal Palace’s Joachim Andersen appeared to say ‘it’s not a red’ to the Everton striker
The Toffees have confirmed they have launched an appeal against the red card.
Calvert-Lewin would miss Premier League fixtures against Aston Villa and Fulham, plus the FA Cup replay against Palace if his three-match ban is not overturned.
They are likely to ask the FA to provide the audio recordings of conversations between the VAR and on-pitch officials, to see just how Kavanagh came to his ultimate decision of red card having initially not seen it as a free-kick offence.
The club are keen to understand how Kavanagh was swayed into sending off Calvert-Lewin for a tackle which was not reckless or out of control, despite the fact his studs were slightly showing. An audio file from the VAR hub would show the process of how it was deemed a red.
Many in the game have pointed to the fact that Kavanagh was greeted at the VAR monitor with a super slow-motion replay, which made the challenge look much worse – as it does with most tackles.
Everton are also incensed at inconsistencies in refereeing this season and the dressing room is said to be growing frustrated at a string of bad decisions going against them.
This includes Amadou Onana not being awarded a penalty at Tottenham when his shirt was clearly pulled, and the same player penalised for an alleged handball against Manchester City.
Though Calvert-Lewin’s red did not directly alter the match result, Everton were well on top and chasing a match-winner before the incident.
The challenge is similar in sorts to one from Hull’s Tyler Morton earlier this week, in which the on-loan midfielder saw a ban overturned after being shown a straight red card in a match the Tigers ultimately lost.
