James Tarkowski in action for Everton. Alongside him is a smaller circle with a picture of David Moyes in it.
James Tarkowski in action for Everton. Alongside him is a smaller circle with a picture of David Moyes in it.
David Moyes watched his Everton side fail to win for a third Premier League game in a row as they were beaten 2-0 by the reigning champions at the Emirates.
It was another lacklustre display by the Toffees, who are now starting to feel the effects of what was a dire end to the summer transfer window that left Moyes with seriously limited options to choose from.
However, the defeat wasn't helped by referee Harrington, according to Tarkowski, who laid into the official after full-time.
The experienced Everton defender was particularly annoyed with what he felt was a foul by Viktor Gyokeres on Harrison Armstrong in the build-up to Arsenal's second goal.
And now, he could be in big trouble for his comments.
What James Tarkowski said after loss vs Arsenal and why he's in trouble
Tarkowski was fuming after the result.
Speaking on Match of the Day on Saturday night, the Blues centre-back said: "I thought the referee was very poor today. He was very poor.
"He gave them so many soft ones in the first half and gave us absolutely nothing.
"There were fouls where Harrison Armstrong had his shorts getting pulled off by Gyokeres, not too long before the second goal. And he didn't give that.
"We all have had days, but I thought the referee, especially, had one."
Former PGMOL general manager Keith Hackett believes that Tarkowski went too far with his comments about Harrington, which could now lead to major implications for him and for Everton.
FA 'certain' to punish Tarkowski
Speaking exclusively to Goodison News, Hackett wasn't impressed with how Tarkowski singled out Harrington's performance.
"I am certain that his personal attack on a referee's performance in the media will result in him facing a sanction," Hackett said.
"This should result in a fine and suspension, which would be in the region of £10,000, plus up to a three-game ban.
"He should have received some operational advice from Everton's media team to ensure that he avoided making comment about the referee."
Players are allowed to talk about referee's performances after matches.
However, as Hackett points out, it would have been best for Tarkowski to err on the side of caution.
Earlier this year, the FA charged Manchester City's Rodri because he "acted in an improper manner during a post-match media interview by making comments that imply bias and/or question the integrity of a match official."
Rodri's comments were harsher, saying that referee Rob Jones wasn't "neutral" in City's draw with Tottenham in February.
However, do Tarkowski's comments imply bias? Potentially.