Everton are set to raise concerns on inconsistent Premier League refereeing.
Saturday’s 2-1 defeat to West Ham saw the latest contentious decision which has befallen David Moyes’ side this season as they were denied a penalty.
Thierno Barry found himself impeded by Mateus Fernandes in the area before the hosts’ midfielder used his hand to move the ball away from danger.
Appeals by several Blues’ players to referee Stuart Attwell which was backed up by a ruling of accidental handball by Michael Salisbury on VAR duty.
Moyes admitted after the defeat at the London Stadium he was ‘amazed’ that the officials had taken a lenient approach to Fernandes’ unnatural movement.
He said: “I’m a bit surprised.
“I’ve been to see them [the officials] and VAR are saying it was grappling – well, the boy marking him was grappling. He punched the ball.
“It would have been harsh, but I’m amazed they haven’t given it.
“It’s not as if the ball comes onto his hand, his arm goes towards the ball.
“I think today’s the first time I’ve heard the word ‘accidental’ being used. I think that word had been taken out of the vocabulary really.”
Salisbury was also the VAR operator when Barry was involced in another controversy against Arsenal after William Saliba’s foul on him was dismissed.
The Premier League’s Key Match Incidents Panel concluded that Salisbury and referee Sam Barrott both made an incorrect call in the December clash.
In light of the latest injustice, Everton CEO Angus Kinnear is preparing to contact refereeing body Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL).