Premier League Makes Decision on Craig Pawson After Everton Controversy
The Premier League has announced its refereeing assignments for matchday eight, and notably, Craig Pawson will not be officiating any matches. Instead, he will serve as the fourth official for Chelsea vs. Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur vs. West Ham.
This decision comes after Pawson’s controversial performance in Everton’s recent match against Newcastle. The referee’s call not to award a penalty to Dominic Calvert-Lewin sparked outrage among Everton fans, with VAR failing to address the fact that Dan Burn did not touch the ball during the incident.
Pawson’s history with Everton has been questionable, with the Toffees winning only five of their 27 matches under his officiation. Seven games have been drawn, and 15 lost. While it’s impossible to prove bias, some decisions have raised eyebrows.
Everton manager Sean Dyche and fans alike were unhappy with the penalty call, and Calvert-Lewin expressed his disbelief post-match. The potential three points missed could have significant implications if Everton finds themselves in a relegation battle at season’s end.
Pawson’s record with Everton:
- 27 matches officiated
- 5 wins
- 7 draws
- 15 losses
Neil Warnock has previously suggested that Pawson has an agenda against Everton, a notion that fans are starting to believe. While Pawson’s absence from matchday eight’s refereeing assignments may bring temporary relief, Everton will hope for more favorable officiating decisions in the future.
The Premier League’s decision to reassign Pawson may indicate a recognition of the controversy surrounding his recent performance. However, only time will tell if this decision has a lasting impact on Pawson’s officiating career.