Former whistler Des Roache reckons the Everton man's eclipses Neil Simpson on Ian Durrant at Pittodrie back in 1988
19:55, 03 Apr 2025
James Tarkowski tackles Alexis Mac Allister
Former ref Des Roache has branded James Tarkowski's horror Merseyside derby tackle WORSE than the infamous one on Ian Durrant by Neil Simpson at Pittodrie.
The Everton skipper was booked after catching Liverpool's Alexis Mac Allister with a wild lunge that left the Argentine world cup winner writhing in agony on the Anfield turf.
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Whistler Sam Barrott booked the defender and VAR opted not to upgrade to a red after a review. However, PMGOL have since admitted that this was a major error and Tarkowski should have been given his marching orders.
He said afterwards that he apologised to Mac Allister, whose side ended up 1-0 winners thanks to Diogo Jota's goal.
Former SFA referee Roache told Record Sport's Hotline Live that VAR's decision was "scandalous" and is adamant the challenge was worse than the one that caused so much bad blood between Aberdeen and Rangers.
Simpson's challenge on the Gers star put him out of the game for two-and-a-half years, and the pair settled out of court in 1993 after Durrant sued Simpson for damages.
Neil Simpson's challenge on Ian Durrant in 1988(Image: Daily Record)
"I'd love to try and find some mitigation or try and find some reason for it - that they were unsighted,' said Roache. "As much as Sam Barrott is the man int he middle at that moment in time, he's maybe just had an off moment.
"I would love to say he's just followed the ball. but if he is, then it's come from somewhere and it's come from that challenge becasue let's be honest, Alexi Mac Allister never got control of the ball.
"But how VAR hasn't picked that up is beyond a joke. I'll try and defend referees any time I can but you can't defend the indefensible and that is indefensible. That could have ended Mac Allister's career.
"Now we've seen horrible things., if we go back to the 80s, that really affected Ian Durrant. I'm saying that tackle is WORSE.
"Now that tackle on Ian Durrant, yes the force and vengeance that was put in - it was done from a static start.
"This one came from a distance, it came with excessive force, it came with brutality and it came with endangering the safety of an opponent.
"I wouldn't even say it came with endangering an opponent - it came with endangering the career of an opponent.
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"how that has gone amiss is nothing short of scandalous."