- Sean Dyche criticises VAR after Everton penalty decision overturned
- However, the FA could discipline Dyche as it cracks down on criticism of referees.
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Sean Dyche has opened the new season with a slam of VAR, despite directors being warned that criticism of referees risks undermining the Premier League.
Dyche was left furious after his Everton side had a penalty decision overturned in Saturday’s home defeat to Brighton.
Referee Simon Hooper initially pointed to the penalty spot early in the second half after adjudged Dominic Calvert-Lewin to have been fouled by Albion captain Lewis Dunk, before changing his mind after being sent to the monitor.
Everton, who were losing 1-0 at the time, ended up losing the match 3-0.
New guidelines from officials had indicated that Stockley Park would try to intervene less this season.
Everton manager Sean Dyche criticised the refereeing during his side’s 3-0 defeat to Brighton
Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s penalty decision was overturned by VAR
VAR adjudged that Calvert-Lewin had not been fouled by Brighton’s Lewis Dunk.
Dyche said afterwards: ‘I can’t understand it on the penalty.
‘He (the referee) makes a decision from a perfect point of view and here he is called to overturn it.
‘So what’s the point of having such a high bar? We’ve had meetings about it.
‘Your player is out of control on the ground and drags his foot with the top of his foot and the bottom of Dom’s, which clearly knocks him to the ground.
“That’s contact inside the box and we’ve all seen very small things that get called for penalties – someone steps on a foot and it’s a penalty. So I think we’re all confused by that.”
Dyche’s comments may not be welcomed by the authorities given that Premier League director of football Tony Scholes and chief referee Howard Webb held meetings with managers before the season warning that attacking VAR decisions would reduce confidence in the league.
To complicate matters at Goodison, Mr Hooper had to consult a second, smaller monitor after technical problems prevented the main one from working.
Dyche (left) risks drawing the ire of FA chiefs who say criticism of referees “undermines the Premier League”
The Premier League Match Centre explained the decision: ‘The referee awarded a penalty to Everton for a foul by Dunk on Calvert-Lewin.
The VAR recommended an on-field review, as it deemed that Calvert-Lewin’s foot landed on Dunk’s foot and that there was no foul. The referee overturned the original decision and play was restarted with a drop ball.
Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler said it was “clear” the penalty originally awarded was incorrect and should have been overturned.
