09 January 2024 , 16:22
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Everton have won their appeal on Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s red card against Crystal Palace.
Calvert-Lewin, 26, was sent off for the first time in his career in the goalless FA Cup third-round draw at Selhurst Park last week. The striker had his studs up in a challenge with Nathaniel Clyne but only clipped the Palace defender's shin with minimal contact and was in full control of his body as he claimed the ball.
Calvert-Lewin was facing a three-game ban if the appeal was unsuccessful. But the FA have heard the appeal and rescinded the red card. That means the 26-year-old will be available for the clash with Aston Villa this weekend, the cup replay against Palace and then either the Toffees' fourth-round tie at home to Luton or Bolton, or a Premier League clash with Fulham.
Calvert-Lewin was sent off after referee Chris Kavanagh was sent to the screen to review the incident by the VAR, Craig Pawson. "The slow motion shows a different picture," Everton boss Sean Dyche said after the game.
"If you want to slow-mo everything, you have to slow-mo everything. There's minor contact and in live time he [Kavanagh] doesn't give anything, then they slow it down and everything looks worse.
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"Every fan out there must be going, 'What is the point?' We all know the outcome, which is that [the referees] are going to agree with what they are being told. I don't get all this delaying and looking at the screen for a minuscule chance they’ll turn it over. Why even bother?"
Everton captain Seamus Coleman added post-match: "When you slow it down, it's always going to look that bit worse. From where I was, it was a great tackle. I saw the replay after, and I don't know who the fingers need to be pointed at.
Your turn! Have the FA made the correct decision? Let us know your verdict in the comments section.
Chris Kavanagh gave the red card (GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)"When you see the referee goes over there, you know he's going to give a red card. It's been a big talking point, and for me, that's not a red card. It's another decision that goes against us that maybe won't get talked about as much."
Palace manager Roy Hodgson was sympathetic, saying. "I think it's unfortunate for Calvert-Lewin. It certainly wasn't a vicious foul by any stretch of the imagination but I thought the referee refereed the game quite well. If the decision was a red card, I'm not prepared to come out and say it definitely was or wasn't. It's a modern-day situation."