'Embarrassing' - Everton fans hit out as VAR audio from Newcastle United incident is released
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Everton felt they should have been awarded a second-half penalty in the 0-0 draw with Newcastle at Goodison Park on Saturday after Dominic Calvert-Lewin went down inside the area. The Everton striker clashed with Newcastle defender Dan Burn and fell down inside the box.
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Hide AdReferee Craig Pawson waved away the appeals and a brief VAR check agreed with his decision.
A Premier League Match Centre statement released straight after the incident read: “The referee’s call of no penalty for the challenge between Calvert-Lewin and Burn is checked and confirmed by VAR - deeming that Calvert-Lewin kicked the back of Burn’s leg.”
And that was echoed in the VAR audio that has now been released.
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Hide AdOn field referee Pawson could be heard saying: “Not [a penalty] for me, not for me. There’s a challenge between the two of them. Not for me.”
VAR Chris Kavanagh then said: “Delay, delay, checking possible penalty. [Burn] gets his foot in front, [Calvert-Lewin] kicks him. It’s not a penalty. That’s not a penalty.”
Assistant VAR Harry Lennard added: “He kicks Dan Burn.”
Kavanagh then told Pawson: “Checked and cleared Craig.”
Everton fans have responded to the footage on social media, labelling it ‘embarrassing’ and ‘corrupt’.
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Hide AdNewcastle head coach Eddie Howe and Everton boss Sean Dyche commented on the incident after the match.
Dyche said: “He’s clearly tried to swipe the ball at goal. Their lad, I don’t think he can even reach it and interrupts him striking at goal - let’s say he’s going to score.
“They don’t even look at it. At least have a look at it. If that’s in middle of pitch, everyone thinks in the stadium thinks it’s a foul so why isn’t it? Whenever we ask the question, we go to powers that be and they’ll give some technical reason.”
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Hide AdAs it happened, VAR did have a look at it but it was dismissed so quickly that a VAR check notification was not displayed on the screens at Goodison Park.
Howe said: “I haven’t seen Everton’s shout again but I thought Dan stood his ground. Naturally, I’d side our way.”
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