Everton has expressed their discontent with the Football Association (FA) after their appeal to have Michael Keane’s red card overturned was dismissed by a three-man panel.
The defender’s dismissal during Wednesday’s 1-1 draw with Wolves sparked a heated reaction, and the club’s frustration only deepened after the FA panel upheld the decision.
The Incident That Sparked Controversy
Keane’s red card came after an incident involving Wolves’ Tolu Arokodare.
In the 1-1 draw, Keane was adjudged to have grabbed Arokodare’s dreadlocks during a challenge.
While the referee, Tom Kirk, did not spot the incident during regular play, VAR official Chris Kavanagh instructed him to review the footage on the pitch-side monitor.
After this review, Keane was shown a red card for what was considered violent conduct, a decision that left many questioning the consistency of officiating.
Moyes Reacts with Outrage
West Ham manager David Moyes, who was visibly angered by the original decision, hasn’t cooled off since.
He criticized the panel’s decision not to overturn the red card, emphasizing how the punishment seemed disproportionate.
Moyes drew a comparison to Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli, who faced no punishment after pushing Conor Bradley off the pitch, despite Bradley being injured at the time.
Moyes argued that the two incidents were vastly different in nature but led to contrasting outcomes.
“I’m hugely disappointed and surprised,” Moyes said.
“I’m probably more angry at the panel who thought this was the right decision.
I know who the panel members are, and I have to question their judgment. To call that violent conduct is beyond me.
We’ve just seen a game where it’s acceptable to throw a ball at someone or push them when they’re injured, but a slight pull of someone’s hair gets you a three-game ban. That’s extraordinary.”
Everton’s Official Statement
Everton, while accepting the ruling, expressed surprise at the outcome.
In a statement, the club stated that they still believed the incident didn’t meet the criteria for violent conduct.
They argued that the action was neither forceful nor intentional, making the three-game suspension an unfair sanction.
The club’s frustration was clear as they questioned the rationale behind the FA panel’s decision.
“While we must accept the majority ruling, we remain surprised,” Everton said.
“We believed firmly that the incident did not constitute violent conduct as per the rules, and that it was neither intentional nor forceful.”
The Bigger Picture: Double Standards?
This latest row between Everton and the FA highlights the ongoing concerns regarding the consistency of refereeing and disciplinary decisions in the Premier League.
With managers, players, and clubs alike frustrated with what they see as double standards, questions continue to mount over the way such incidents are handled.
In this case, Moyes and Everton both feel that the punishment doesn’t match the offense, particularly when compared to similar incidents in the league.
As the season progresses, this debate is likely to continue, with fans and pundits alike keeping a close eye on how the FA handles similar cases in the future.
For now, Everton will have to move forward without Keane for the next three matches, but the issue is far from settled.
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