PGMOL bosses admit James Tarkowski should have been sent off in the Merseyside derby.
Everton defender Tarkowski only saw yellow for a horrible tackle on Liverpool’s Alexis Mac Alister as he cleared the ball on the edge of his own box in the first half of the Anfield clash.
Soccer players tackling on the field.
James Tarkowski avoided a red card for this tackle on Alexis Mac Allister
While former England defender Tarkowski clearly played the ball first, his out of control follow through saw him clatter into the Argentine midfielder‘s calf.
Referee Sam Barrott judged it to be a “reckless” challenge and worthy of only a booking.
But PGMOL chiefs agree it should have been deemed serious foul play and that VAR Paul Tierney was wrong not to intervene and recommend a review at the pitch side monitor.
Despite the private admission, under FA rules there is no possibility of retrospective action for Tarkowski.
The Everton defender apologised to Mac Allister after the final whistle and the pair appeared to kiss and make up.
But commentators, pundits and former refs unanimously agreed Tarkowski should have saw red.
Gary Neville suggested he was "lucky" not to be sent off and ex-Prem official Mike Dean confirmed his view.
Dean said: "The follow through is awful. He hasn't got his leg planted, luckily enough.
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"But it's a red card - speed, intensity, force - the lot. He gets the ball but the follow through… it's a terrible challenge.
"For me he (Barrott) should have gone to the screen, should have sent Tarkowski off - 100 per cent."
Fury as James Tarkowski escapes red card for horror tackle on Mac Allister just minutes into Merseyside derby
At half-time, Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher said of Barrott: "He's in a great position, he has to see that."
Carragher then added: "For Paul Tierney not to give that on VAR, shocking."