In a stunning confession, the Professional Game Match Officials Ltd (PGMOL) has admitted that James Tarkowski from Everton should have seen a red card in their recent clash against Liverpool. The PGMOL acknowledged that Tarkowski’s reckless challenge on Alexis Mac Allister warranted a sending off, labeling it as a throwback to the fierce Merseyside derby tackles of the past.
Despite the severity of the incident, referee Sam Barrott only brandished a yellow card to Tarkowski, a decision that even Everton’s manager David Moyes agreed was fortunate for the defender. The PGMOL pointed out that the video assistant referee, Paul Tierney, should have intervened and recommended a review of the tackle.
Although there was a brief VAR check lasting only 10 seconds, Tierney opted not to overturn the on-field decision, deeming it not a clear and obvious error. However, the PGMOL emphasized that Tarkowski’s follow-through after initially playing the ball crossed the line into serious foul play territory, justifying a red card.
Former England goalkeeper Joe Hart, who knows Tarkowski well from their time at Burnley, criticized the tackle, describing it as reckless and highlighting the potential danger it posed to Mac Allister. Hart expressed relief that the incident did not result in a serious injury, emphasizing the risky nature of such challenges in high-stakes matches.