DCL decision another humbling moment for PGMOL
Everton were successful in their appeal to overturn Dominic Calvert-Lewin's red card.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin must have known his game was over as soon Chris Kavanagh signaled he was going over to the pitchside monitor during Everton’s FA Cup encounter with Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.
Having initially deemed Calvert-Lewin’s challenge on Nathaniel Clyne to not even be worthy of a foul, Kavanagh had been convinced by VAR Craig Pawson, who was under the watchful eye of the newly implemented SVAR (support VAR), which in this case was Michael Salisbury.
Somehow, Pawson and Salisbury — two highly qualified referees who regularly officiate in the self-proclaimed best league in the world — thought that Calvert-Lewin, despite winning the ball cleanly, had endangered his opponent; in fairness, Clyne had rolled around on the deck, making the most of the slightest bit of contact.
Perhaps it was the full-back’s bit of play-acting that convinced the double act of Pawson and Salisbury they should politely ask Kavanagh to assess his original decision.
And ultimately, it was no surprise to anyone when Kavanagh trotted back onto the pitch, sketched out an imaginary screen with his hands, and pulled out a red card.
It was also no surprise to see Everton appeal the decision. And based on common sense, it was no surprise to see the FA uphold Everton’s appeal. Calvert-Lewin will not be suspended for the next three matches.
The only shock to any of this matter comes that three referees could judge Calvert-Lewin’s to have been worthy of a red card. It was not even worth a foul, never mind a booking.
According to IFAB’s rules, the criteria for a red card for endangering an opponent or for violent conduct is as follows:
Excessive force/serious foul play
Intense foul that endangers the safety of the opponent and creates a risk of serious injury
Violent conduct
Intense foul with a lot of force that occurs away from the ball
Does not involve trying to play the ball, e.g. punching, kicking, head-butting
If it occurs after play has stopped, then it is not a foul and a free kick cannot be given, but the player must still be shown a red card
The 2023-24 campaign has arguably seen a new nadir reached in the state of officiating, in particular in England.
PGMOL’s Chief Refereeing Officer Howard Webb has seemingly spent more time apologising to various clubs than he has enacting any serious change or improvements to the standards of officiating.
It must be stressed, the majority of decisions made with the benefit of VAR are correct. But the standard is slipping down lower on a week-by-week basis.
What will the repercussions be for the officials involved in Thursday’s game? One of them — Pawson — was in charge of officiating the highest-profile match of the FA Cup’s third round when Newcastle United took on Sunderland on Saturday.
The FA’s decision is another embarrassing moment for PGMOL, and no doubt Mr Webb will be writing to Everton this week to formally apologise, as he has presumably done countless times to Wolves this season.
There is, of course, a lot of pressure on referees, but all the tools are there to help them. The biggest tool of all — technology — is being misused and overcomplicated by the same bunch of officials who are so in need of the help it can provide.
They are not helping themselves, and while the clamour for VAR to be scrapped grows, football fans and pundits should remind themselves that this crop of officials would still be running the rule over games week in, week out.
By Patric Ridge
Pawson should never ref another Everton or sit on var or make the tea!