PGMOL has acknowledged that Everton defender James Tarkowski should have been shown a red card for his tackle on Liverpool’s Alexis Mac Allister during the Merseyside derby on Wednesday.
The incident and referee’s decision
Tarkowski made a high and forceful challenge on Mac Allister after winning the ball, which was deemed reckless. Referee Sam Barrott issued a yellow card for the foul. The incident was reviewed by VAR, which upheld the on-field decision, determining it wasn’t a clear and obvious error.
Analysis of the tackle
PGMOL agreed that while Tarkowski did play the ball initially, the follow-through was dangerous enough to warrant a red card. Former Premier League referee Mike Dean strongly criticized the decision, calling it a “stonewall red card.”
Reaction from pundits
Sky Sports pundits, including Jamie Carragher, Gary Neville, and Paul Merson, also condemned the challenge. Carragher called it a “shocking tackle” and stated that Tarkowski should have been sent off immediately. Neville described it as “a horrible tackle,” while Merson found it “unbelievable” that Tarkowski was not sent off.
Everton legend’s view
Duncan Ferguson, a former Everton player, was equally critical, calling the challenge “a leg-breaker” and stating that Tarkowski should have been shown a red card on the pitch.
PGMOL has now admitted that the initial decision was a mistake, and the tackle should have been punished more severely.
