Man City handball: Everton receives apology

By Samantha Allen

Published: March 1, 2022 | 4:27 PM GMT

Everton has received an apology from the head of the professional referees body Mike Riley after they were denied a penalty in the 1-0 defeat by Manchester City on Saturday.

The Toffees wrote to the Premier League to complain about the decision when Manchester City midfielder Rodri seemed to use his arm to control the ball.

Neither referee Paul Tierney nor video assistant referee Chris Kavanagh deemed it was worthy of a spot-kick despite complaints from fans and Everton boss Frank Lampard.

Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) boss Riley called both Lampard and Everton chairman Bill Kenwright on Monday to apologise for the incident, which could prove costly to the club’s bid to stay in the Premier League.

Everton are 17th in the table, one place and one point above Burnley, who host Leicester in the Premier League on Tuesday (19:45 GMT).

Kavanagh will be the referee for that match.

BBC/Mercy Chukwudiebere
Man City handball: Everton receives apology

About Samantha Allen

Samantha Allen is a seasoned journalist and senior correspondent at TDPel Media, specializing in the intersection of maternal health, clinical wellness, and public policy. With a background in investigative reporting and a passion for data-driven storytelling, Samantha has become a trusted voice for expectant mothers and healthcare advocates worldwide. Her work focuses on translating complex medical research into actionable insights, covering everything from prenatal fitness and neonatal care to the socioeconomic impacts of healthcare legislation. At TDPel Media, Samantha leads the agency's health analytics desk, ensuring that every report is grounded in accuracy, empathy, and scientific integrity. When she isn't in the newsroom, she is an advocate for community-led wellness initiatives and an avid explorer of California’s coastal trails.