Everton fans demand Craig Pawson investigation after ‘disgraceful’ controversy vs Burnley
Everton fans are fuming after a contentious decision left them wondering what could have been at the end of their 0-0 draw at Burnley on Saturday.
The Toffees made the trip to Turf Moor with a depleted squad, as the trio of Iliman Ndiaye, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Jack Grealish were unavailable due to either AFCON or injury respectively.
Grealish’s future at Everton has been under scrutiny again this week, and his presence was sorely missed as his team lacked creativity during their stalemate away from home.
Nevertheless, David Moyes and Co. were left feeling aggrieved after a late moment of controversy fell against them, and the fans have made their frustrations clear on social media.
Everton fans seething with Tyler Dibling moment
Tyler Dibling received a rare opportunity to start for Everton in the absence of their attacking trio, and the youngster was involved in the game’s major talking point shortly before the full-time whistle.
The youngster fired a volley towards goal in the 86th minute which struck the arm of Burnley’s Jaidon Anthony, blocking its route to goal.
Referee Craig Pawson was unmoved by the Toffees’ appeals, and VAR official Tim Wood ultimately agreed with his on-field colleagues’ decision after a brief check.
The Premier League have since issued a statement via their Match Centre account on X, which outlined that a spot-kick wasn’t given because Anthony’s arm was in a “justifiable position.”
Everton fans wasted no time in making their feelings known on X, and they have cut into Pawson for his initial decision and called for their club to take the incident up with the league.
One supporter called for an investigation to be launched into Pawson, while another suggested that the club should take their complaints up with the “horrible, corrupt regime” in the Premier League.
Several other fans demanded that their club make their frustrations known, while one even went as far as to label the incident as “match fixing.”
- @Gazgasballs: “The club needs to call it out, it’s become beyond a joke, it’s a blatant penalty.”
- @Shaunjames1974: “Howard Webb needs to come on here and explain why VAR keep getting it wrong, absolutely disgraceful.”
Everton fans point to Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall comparison
Everton fans have grown increasingly frustrated with Pawson as the 2025-26 campaign has worn on.
The 46-year-old delivered an error-strewn performance during their 4-1 defeat against Newcastle back in November, and his decision-making bit them hard again this weekend.
The Toffees faithful have been keen to point towards a decision from Pawson’s colleague Stuart Attwell that went against them during their win over Brighton in August.
Dewsbury-Hall was penalised for a similar incident inside the area, but on that occasion, it was deemed that his arm was in an unnatural position and making his body bigger.
Like many fans across the Premier League, the Everton supporters have understandably cried out for some consistency to be shown in regards to incidents like this.