Everton have written to the Premier League requesting an apology following a contentious handball call in their 1-0 loss to Manchester City.
With the hosts behind by a goal in the closing minutes at Goodison Park, the ball hit Rodri’s arm in an egregious manner. Referee Paul Tierney, though, did not deem it an improper offense, and VAR Chris Kavanagh also declined to award Everton a spot-kick.
According to The Athletic, Everton CEO Denise Barrett-Baxendale lodged a protest with the Premier League on Monday over recent officiating across the league, not only on Saturday.
Lampard was not pleased with the decision not to award Everton a penalty, and slammed the officials for their ‘incompetence’ after the full-time whistle.
“There is no doubt, there is no ‘probably’ to it,” Lampard said.
“The decision is incredible, incredible that loses us the opportunity to get what we deserved.
“That’s a VAR call. That’s Chris Kavanagh, that’s completely on Chris. I spoke to the referee and they know it is a penalty, the question is that is offside and it wasn’t.
“That’s the reason we have VAR. It wouldn’t have needed more than five seconds to know it was a penalty. He should have either told the referee to give it or told him to go look at it.
“We’ve lost a point because of a professional who cannot do his job right. I’ll wait for the statement or apology they do when things are wrong but it will mean nothing.
“You start searching for whys and I can’t think why. It is so incompetent to get it wrong. Pep [Guardiola] will know, Everton fans will know, Man City fans will know, it was the clearest penalty you could give: arm is out – great, below the sleeve – great, I was waiting for the penalty.
“Incompetence at best, at worst who knows?”
The Toffees are back in action on Thursday night in the FA Cup against Boreham Wood.
