Everton supporters have aired their continuing frustration over Mike Dean refereeing the Merseyside derby, following an explanation from the Premier League.
Officials from England’s top flight have explained that appointments are made based on experience and their belief who the best refereeing team for a certain game is (as per Liverpool Echo).
Furthermore, despite Dean’s ties to Merseyside, as he is a Tranmere Rovers supporter (per Liverpool Echo), he was deemed to be suitable to take charge of the tie.
The Toffees supporters found the explanation lacklustre and remained furious that he is set to be in command of the derby tie next week.
Yet again … the Premier League get it wrong. On pitch Ref and off it with VAR Ref. Why are we so surprised.
— Paul (@goodysonx74) November 27, 2019
Total corruption from the @fa They aren’t even attempting to hide it now. Pen to Liverpool (at least one) and a red for us.
— Jim Mac (@jimefc81) November 27, 2019
You won’t even be able to get a bet on them getting a Pen !!
— lee dobson (@leedobbo23) November 27, 2019
Nailed on pen in that game and it won’t be for us
— Robert (@RobNolan76) November 27, 2019
Is there a Premier League conspiracy against Everton?
Yes, there absolutely is
No, don't be ridiculous
To add more fuel to the fire, the Premier League appointed Martin Atkinson as the man controlling VAR for the clash (per Liverpool Echo).
Atkinson raised further fury as he was the man on the new tech for Marco Silva’s side’s recent 1-1 draw with Tottenham Hotspur, where VAR was called into question (per The Guardian).
Due to the less than complete explanation from the Premier League over the appointments, Everton fans felt there was something iffy about the whole thing.
Would not say it explains. Tell me how he is taking charge of a game his sons will be their as supporters
— Robbie Leatherbarrow (@rwl140172) November 27, 2019
Funny how they feel the need to explain ???
— joey foote (@joeyfoote) November 27, 2019
We may as well face it, it’s happening. The powers that be want it that way
— Andy Beckett (@andybeckett77) November 28, 2019
What do we think?
While the explanation does, somewhat, make sense, it is an incredibly brief one (per Liverpool Echo).
Dean and Atkinson may well be the best men to take charge of the tie, but there are others just as suitable, and surely the Premier League would have known the appointments would cause outrage in Merseyside.