Everton have won their appeal over Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s controversial dismissal against Crystal Palace in the FA Cup, with the striker’s three-match ban overturned with immediate effect.
Calvert-Lewin was sent off for the first time in his career in the 79th minute of the third-round draw at Selhurst Park after an intervention by the VAR, Craig Pawson. Pawson sent the referee, Chris Kavanagh, to the pitch-side monitor to review what he considered serious foul play when the striker scooped the ball away from Nathaniel Clyne and caught the defender in the process.
Kavanagh, who was close to the incident and did not award a foul, changed his decision to a straight red card, leaving Everton to hang on with 10 men for a goalless draw and a replay. The dismissal prompted widespread dismay and further questions over the use of VAR in an abysmal season for the Professional Game Match Officials Limited.
The Football Association has supported Everton’s claim that Calvert-Lewin was wrongfully dismissed by Kavanagh and the striker will be available for Premier League games against Aston Villa and Fulham, plus the Palace replay at Goodison Park next Wednesday.
It announced: “Dominic Calvert-Lewin will be available for Everton’s next three games following a successful claim of wrongful dismissal. The striker was sent off for serious foul play in the Emirates FA Cup game against Crystal Palace on Thursday, 4 January 2024.”
