Premier League referees chief Mike Riley has sent an apology to Everton and their owner Bill Kenwright and manager Frank Lampard.
The Toffees were felt aggrieved when they were denied a clear penalty in their 1-0 loss to Manchester City over the weekend after midfielder Rodri appeared to escape an apparent handball call.
Daily Mail claimed on Monday that Everton lodged a formal complaint, while also asking for an apology for Lampard and his squad in the wake of the controversy; the same tabloid indicating on Tuesday that Riley – the general manager of the Professional Game Match Official Limited – has personally called the club to apologize for his organization’s shortcomings on the club.
According to the Athletic, Everton’s chief executive officer Denise Barrett-Baxendale had also expressed ‘grave concerns’ in their other matches including matches against Newcastle United, Southampton, and Tottenham.
Newcastle midfielder Jonjo Shelvey escaped with just a yellow card for a heavy challenge from behind on Anthony Gordon with the club failing to be given a penalty against Southampton a week ago after Oriol Romeu handled the ball handball in their 2-0 defeat at St Mary’s.
Forward Richarlison also had a penalty overturned against Tottenham in November, which came during the ill-fated tenure of Lampard’s predecessor Rafael Benitez.
Everton’s defeat and Burnley’s draw at Crystal Palace mean the Toffees are now sat just one point above the relegation zone.
