The Premier League referee is back in the headlines just weeks after his farcical performance in charge
Chris Kavanagh
Chris Kavanagh was involved in another controversial refereeing decidion at the weekend after a nightmare game involving Newcastle
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Premier League referee Chris Kavanagh was involved in yet another controversial incident just weeks after the farcical display in Newcastle United's FA Cup win over Aston Villa.
The referee didn't rule out an offside in the build-up for Tammy Abraham's opener at Villa Park, gave Lucas Digne a yellow card rather than red for a late challenge on Jacob Murphy and awarded a free-kick rather than a blatant penalty when the Frenchman handled the ball in the box.
Wayne Rooney described the handball as 'one of the worst decisions he's ever seen,' and the official was back in the news this week following Man United's comeback win against Crystal Palace - his first game back since being dropped by the Premier League.
Maxence Lacroix had given the Eagles the lead after just four minutes and were good value for it at the half time interval
However, Lacroix went from hero to villain when he pulled back Matheus Cunha on the edge of the area, with Kavanagh awarding a penalty and a red card to the French defender after consulting VAR.
Speaking on Sky Sports' Ref Watch show, former top flight referee Dermot Gallagher felt it was a penalty and red card. He said: "Oliver Glasner agreed it was a red card but he didn't agree it was a penalty.
"It starts outside the penalty area but when Cunha goes down, he is on the line and Lacroix still has a hold of him. Therefore it is a penalty and I think it is a red card."
Lucas Digne handles the ball
Lucas Digne was fortunate not to concede a penalty against Newcastle(Image: BBC)
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However, former QPR striker Jay Bothroyd disagreed - as he often does - and felt the decision to award a red card was the wrong one, citing Marc Guehi's yellow card in Liverpool's defeat to Man City last month.
Bothroyd said: "I think it is a possible goal scoring opportunity and not obvious. Cunha doesn't have control of the ball and the goalkeeper is coming out.
"By the team Cunha would have got to the ball the goalkeeper would have been there as well. For me, it is the wrong decision in terms of a red card.
"We agreed with the Guehi one it's not a red card because we think Dias can get round and make a challenge. That's why it's not given as a red card. It's a very similar challenge, no doubt about that.
"That's why I think Lacroix's is a bit harsh. I don't think it's an obvious goal-scoring opportunity. It should have been the same decision."
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