Everton chief to contact PGMOL after yet another controversy - Paul Joyce

Everton CEO Angus Kinnear will raise concerns over the consistency of officiating in the Premier League with the PGMOL, according to reports.

David Moyes was incensed after his side were not awarded a seemingly blatant penalty after a handball from Mateus Fernandes as he grappled with Thierno Barry.

Despite multiple replays showing clear contact with the midfielder’s arm, no spot-kick was given following a VAR review, with the incident deemed accidental rather than deliberate.

Stuart Attwell’s oversight ultimately cost the Toffees, who were condemned to a 2-1 loss at the death after Callum Wilson struck the winner in the 92nd minute.

Defeat at the London Stadium also dented Everton’s hopes of securing European football, leaving them three points adrift of sixth place with just four matches remaining.

Everton appeals in vain – again

Disbelief had quickly spread through the visitors’ camp after Fernandes’ handball, and the club have now decided to take a firm stance against the inconsistency.

According to The Times‘ Paul Joyce, Toffees CEO Kinnear will speak to officials at the PGMOL, the body responsible for officiating in England, to voice concerns.

That decision will likely have the backing of Moyes, who declared post-match that Fernandes had effectively “punched the ball” during his tussle with Barry.

“I’m a bit surprised,” said Moyes. “I’ve been to see them [the officials] and VAR are saying it was grappling – well, the boy marking him was grappling. He punched the ball.

“It would have been harsh, but I’m amazed they haven’t given it.”

Agreeing with the Scot, Martin Keown claimed Fernandes was “lucky” to get away with it.

This is not the first time that Everton have been a victim of poor refereeing. Indeed, earlier this season, they were denied a clear penalty in a 1-0 home defeat by Arsenal.

With the visitors leading, Barry was kicked by William Saliba. The Premier League’s Key Match Incidents Panel then voted that referee Sam Barrott should have pointed to the spot.

It was also revealed that the VAR should have sent Barrott to his monitor.

Glaring refereeing mistakes inexcusable

Everton are said to have held talks with the PGMOL earlier this season to flag their concerns with the standard of officiating, but clearly not much has changed.

Attwell not acting in the first place was bad enough, but VAR’s failure to penalise the handball was inexcusable. Really, the intent couldn’t have been more obvious.

Not only was the result of the match affected, but so too was the race for Europe and the relegation dogfight. West Ham gleefully benefitted on this occasion.

The Toffees, on the other hand, are now down in 11th place.

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