Referee David Coote axed by Premier League after VAR mess in Everton vs Liverpool - 7M sport

Referee David Coote axed by Premier League after VAR mess in Everton vs Liverpool



Posted Wednesday, October 21, 2020 by Dailystar.co.uk

David Coote was in the VAR chair for the drama-filled Merseyside derby with Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford staying on the pitch despite a horror challenge on Liverpool ace Virgil van Dijk

David Coote has been axed from a Premier League referee or VAR role for the first time this season following the Merseyside derby.

Coote was in the VAR chair for the drama-filled clash at Goodison Park and did not take action over Jordan Pickford’s challenge on Virgil van Dijk.

The Everton goalkeeper lunged in on the Liverpool star with Van Dijk now in a battle to play again this season.

The incident was reviewed for a penalty though Coote did not check the actual challenge after it was determined Van Dijk was offside.

Coote is believed to have forgot that the rules allowed him to review the incident despite the offside in the build-up.

Referee David Coote axed by Premier League after VAR mess in Everton vs Liverpool
David Coote was the VAR for Saturday's Merseyside derby (Image: GETTY)

And Coote has now seemingly been punished with the ref set to take fourth official duties for West Ham's clash with Manchester City on Saturday lunchtime.

It will be the first time this season that he is on the touchline rather than on the pitch or in charge of VAR at Stockley Park.

The FA confirmed on Monday that Pickford would not be the subject of retrospective action because the incident was seen and dealt with at the time.

Referee David Coote axed by Premier League after VAR mess in Everton vs Liverpool
Virgil van Dijk was left in agony by Jordan Pickford's tough tackle (Image: Getty Images)

Liverpool hero Jamie Carragher had defended Pickford over the challenge, saying: "Of course it should have been a red card for Jordan Pickford, it was a terrible tackle.

"There will be a lot of frustration now in the Liverpool camp, supporters, maybe neutrals wanting Pickford to be banned.

"We better be careful with that and I’m going to defend Jordan. Yes it was a terrible tackle.

"I’ve had my leg broken, I nearly broke Nani’s leg. These things happen in football.

"I don’t think anyone goes out the way to deliberately hurt someone. 99 per cent of these awful injuries or tackles on players hand on heart I believe pro footballers will not try and hurt someone.”



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