Everton’s Dominic Calvert-Lewin was in hot water after he tackled Crystal Palace’s Nathaniel Clyne in an FA Cup match on 4 January. But he got off the hook when an independent regulatory commission said the officials made a “clear and obvious error” and cancelled the red card on appeal.
The 26-year-old striker was facing a three-game ban for serious foul play, but the commission agreed that his tackle was not a threat to the opponent. The commission said the tackle was not forceful, speedy or intense enough to deserve a red card, according to the Football Association (FA) website.
The commission followed the referee advisory panel’s guidance on the laws of the game and decided that the player did not commit an act of serious foul play and that the referee made a clear and obvious error.
Calvert-Lewin got the red card in the 79th minute, when he slid on the ground to snatch the ball and keep it, hitting Clyne’s shin with his studs. Clyne also went for the ball.
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Referee Chris Kavanagh let the game go on at first, but video assistant referee (VAR) Michael Salisbury told him to check the incident on the pitchside monitor.
Kavanagh then gave Calvert-Lewin a straight red card for serious foul play, which means a three-match suspension.
Everton appealed the next day and the FA overturned the red card on 9 January.
Everton said in their written submission to the commission that Calvert-Lewin’s tackle showed a high level of control and was not reckless or forceful. They said he stayed in control all the time.
They said the tackle did not meet any of the criteria for a red card serious foul play, such as lunging with both legs, using excessive force or putting the opponent’s safety at risk.
The commission of three people agreed with Everton and said the tackle was only reckless at most and did not have the “high + full + forceful contact” needed for a red card.
