The Premier League has explained why Everton defender James Tarkowski was not sent off for his challenge on Liverpool’s Alexis Mac Allister during the Merseyside derby on Wednesday night.
Tarkowski’s tackle, which happened just outside his penalty area, left Mac Allister in pain. VAR reviewed the incident, but the officials decided it was not serious foul play.
In a statement on X, the Premier League’s Match Centre wrote: “The referee’s call for a yellow card for a reckless foul by Tarkowski was checked by the VAR, with contact on the follow-through after Tarkowski had played the ball deemed to be reckless.”
Despite the official explanation, some football analysts disagreed with the decision. Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville criticized the tackle, calling it “horrible.”
“It is a horrible tackle. He did not need to follow through like that,” Neville said.
Liverpool went on to win the match against Everton, further strengthening their position in the Premier League title race.
