Ex-PGMOL boss: Sanctions expected after Everton vs Nottingham Forest scenes
Chris Kavanagh should have done more to stamp his authority on the Premier League clash between Everton and Nottingham Forest.
That is according to former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, who exclusively told Football Insider that the Reds could face a fine after scenes at the Hill Dickonson Stadium on Saturday, 6 December.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall was once again the hero, as the Toffees claimed a 3-0 win over the Reds, scoring the third after an own goal from Nikola Milenkovic and a first Everton goal for Thierno Barry.
There was mass controversy as James Tarkowski clashed with Dan Ndoye off the ball, leaving Hackett stunned by the lack of punishment for the defender, and that is not all that happened.
Nottingham Forest players surround Chris Kavanagh
Although a VAR check was not enough to get Tarkowski sent off, or even carded, the incident which caused the most frustration was when it was believed that the ball had hit Kavanagh before Everton’s second goal.
If that had happened, play should have been stopped, let alone that the goal should have been disallowed, and the away team were fuming with the decision, surrounding the referee after.
There was inconclusive evidence to suggest that the ball had hit Kavanagh, hence his decision to allow the goal, but it is becoming far too common that players swarm referees in the Premier League.
Bournemouth and Sunderland have been threatened with punishments after their on-pitch clashes recently, and the same could happen to the Reds after several players confronted the official.
Howard Webb is sent a clear message after scenes on Merseyside
Hackett, exclusively speaking to Football Insider on The Final Whistle, said: “I’m bemused by it all. At the start of the season, the PGMOL and Howard Webb said very clearly that the captain would be the conduit, and he’d talk to the referee.
“We all thought that was going to be great, that it would ease the pressure on referees and their decision-making, but almost everyone at Forest was surrounding the referee.
“I feel for the referee because they’re in a difficult position. The Premier League is an entertaining sport, and it’s beamed around the world. You don’t want to send players off, but you’ve still got to have authority.
“Post-match, this is where they’ll review the situation, and they’ve got to get to grips with these situations. It used to be three or more players, and that would be a fine.”