Everton in crunch talks with PGMOL – here’s what they’ve said in discussions
Everton have expressed their concerns to PGMOL about two specific refereeing issues after an appeal to overturn Michael Keane’s red card versus Wolves was dismissed.
Everton drew 1-1 with Wolves at the Hill Dickinson Stadium on Wednesday as Keane‘s early opener was cancelled out by Mateus Mane’s second-half strike.
Keane was sent off for pulling Tolu Arokodare’s hair in the 83rd minute, as VAR instructed on-field referee Tom Kirk to review the incident, and he duly brandished a red card.
David Moyes blasted the decision as “ridiculous” as Everton decided to appeal the Keane decision in an effort to get his suspension turned over.
An independent FA panel has chosen to dismiss his case and uphold the three-game ban, which has angered the Toffees as they continue to hold talks with PGMOL.
Everton raise concerns over a lack of consistency and refereeing standards with PGMOL after Keane dismissal
Everton released a statement on Friday to express their “surprise” at the decision not to overturn Keane’s red card, adding that they believe that his three-game ban is “clearly excessive” considering the circumstances.
Club insider El Bobble took to X on Friday to reveal that Everton have been speaking to PGMOL around two specific issues that they felt were prevalent during Wednesday’s game.
He said: “After Michael Keane’s red card appeal was dismissed, Everton are believed to have raised and voiced their concerns strongly in discussions with the PGMOL over a lack of consistency and refereeing standards, including the application of VAR.“
Keane will now miss the Toffees’ Saturday clash against Sunderland in the FA Cup, as well as upcoming games against Aston Villa and Leeds United in the Premier League.
Keith Hackett believes Keane’s red card was ‘never’ going to be overturned
Keane will be a big miss for Everton, with Jarrad Branthwaite still sidelined with a hamstring problem and Moyes struggling for centre-back cover as it stands.
The Toffees will have felt as if they had a strong case for Keane’s dismissal to be overturned, but former PGMOL chief and FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, has exclusively told Football Insider that they would have been better off accepting the initial decision.
He said: “Everton’s appeal was frankly never going to succeed. The pulling of an opponent’s hair is a straight red card, and there are plenty of examples of previous bans.”
Joao Neves was sent off for a similar offence against Marc Cucurella in last summer’s Club World Cup, while Southampton’s Jack Stephens did the same to the Spaniard in 2024, and both players were banned after being sent-off.