- Dominic Calvert-Lewin will not face a three-match ban after Everton’s appeal
- He was sent off against Crystal Palace after Chris Kavanagh reviewed his tackle
- Kai Havertz is SHACKLED as Arsenal’s No 9, the weight of that shirt is too much – It’s All Kicking Off
Everton have successfully appealed Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s red card in the 0-0 draw at Crystal Palace in the FA Cup last week, with the striker’s subsequent three-match ban now overturned.
Calvert-Lewin was sent off in the second half for a challenge on Nathaniel Clyne which did not appear to be reckless or out of control. Referee Chris Kavanagh did not even award a free-kick as the incident happened but was advised to go over to the VAR monitor.
Kavanagh then give a red card which baffled players and fans, including opposition defender Joachim Andersen who shook the hand of Calvert-Lewin and was seen saying ‘it’s not a red’. Everton boss Sean Dyche admitted his patience with VAR was running thin.
The Toffees were left furious with the decision, as well as a spate of refereeing calls that they think have gone against them in the last month. They were keen to understand how the VAR came to the conclusion that not sending Calvert-Lewin off was a clear and obvious error.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin will not face a three-match ban after his red card against Crystal Palace was overturned
The striker appeared to win the ball as he dived in on Palace full-back Nathaniel Clyne
Everton lodged an official appeal on Friday afternoon but the Football Association ruled it was not worthy of a red card. It means the striker is free to play in Sunday’s meeting with Aston Villa. He was also set to miss a game against Fulham plus the FA Cup replay against Crystal Palace.
It is another incident that undermines VAR and referees in England. 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.
Clyne went down clutching onto his ankle before the referee was told to go to the monitor
On the advice of VAR Referee Chris Kavanagh chose to give Calvert-Lewin a red card
Everton legend Peter Reid posted on X: ‘I’ve lost the will to live, games gone.’ Manager Dyche said after the match: ‘We all know the outcome – they’re going to agree with everything they’ve been told (by the VAR).
‘I don’t know what the stats are but the chances of something getting turned down are miniscule. Why even bother? I’m a fan of VAR but I just don’t get (why they go over to) look at the screen.’
