Everton news: Expert demands Chris Kavanagh is suspended after ‘massive’ twist in last 24 hours
Chris Kavanagh should be suspended after the PGMOL admitted Everton should have had a penalty in their 1-0 loss to Man City on Saturday (26 February).
That is the view of ex-England and Aston Villa forward Gabby Agbonlahor, speaking exclusively to Football Insider insisted Mike Riley’s apology is “not enough”.
Sky Sports reported today (28 February) the PGMOL managing director had personally apologised over the phone to Frank Lampard and Bill Kenwright.
The ball clearly struck the arm of Man City’s Rodri in the closing stages of the game at Goodison Park.
Referee Paul Tierney waved away Everton’s appeals and Kavanagh, 36, did not believe there was enough to overturn the decision after a lengthy review.
“The apology is not enough,” Agbonlahor told Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley.
“If I’m Everton I want more. I want the VAR operator Chris Kavanagh to be suspended.
“It’s not enough just to say sorry. Sorry is admitting that Man City got three points rather than one, it means Everton got zero points instead of one. One point could be massive to their season.
“Liverpool probably think sorry is not enough either. You’ve given Man City two extra points in the title race.
“It’s not acceptable. It’s different if it was five years ago and a referee got a decision wrong but with VAR and the way they can slow it down that’s unacceptable.
“Apologies don’t cut it for me and I’m sure Frank Lampard will be saying the same.
“You can’t say sorry and think they will say ‘Oh, ok, apology accepted, let’s move on’. No because it’s a blatant penalty.
“There have been less blatant penalties where a player’s not looking and it hits his arm and it’s still been given. There have been so many crazy ones but this was blatant.
“He’s used his arm stupidly, maybe accidentally, but it’s a penalty.”
In other news, Kieran Maguire has revealed Everton are ‘over the moon’ as a £400million ‘money-for-nothing’ deal is on the cards.