Referees will review the decision not to dismiss Jordan Pickford for his terrifying interference in the Merseyside derby that left Liverpool star Virgil Van Dyck in need of knee surgery at their annual summit.

  • Jordan Pickford escaped punishment for his reckless dealings with Virgil van Dyck
  • Van Dijk will miss most of the season due to an ACL problem
  • Liverpool was angry that he had not been punished by the referee on the field and VAR
  • The incident will be reviewed by Professional Game Match Officials Limited

Written by Sami Moqbel for the Daily Mail

Published: | Updated:

The controversial decision not to red card Jordan Pickford during the Merseyside derby last week will be subject to scrutiny at the next mid-term referee summit.

Everton goalkeeper Beckford escaped punishment for recklessly challenging Liverpool defender Virgil Van Dyck, who will now miss most of the season with an anterior cruciate ligament injury as a result of the tackle.

Anfield was furious that the incident was not punished by Michael Oliver, but the most relevant referee is David Cote, who was overseeing the VAR match referee technique at Stokley Park.

The decision not to fire Jordan Pickford due to his dealings with Virgil van Dyck will be reviewed

Beckford escaped the penalty, but the mid-term referees' summit would debate the decision

Beckford escaped the penalty, but the mid-term referees’ summit would debate the decision

And the Sportsmail Understood that the accident is almost certainly one of a number of incidents that were reviewed by Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), the body that oversees refereeing in professional English football, at an annual meeting held in the middle of the season.

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Part of the discussion, which will take place over a videoconference due to social distancing systems, will focus on anatomy of some of the decisions made during the season, particularly those that caused confusion.

In fact, last weekend’s controversial referee in Goodison Park is likely to be chosen as an example during the meeting scheduled for the first part of next year.

Michael Oliver was the referee on the field in the Merseyside derby

David Cote was the VAR official who did not verify a possible red card

Liverpool was furious that the accident was not punished by Michael Oliver (left) and David Coot

Sportsmail It revealed on Tuesday that Coote had not verified a potential red card for Beckford after he forgot the rules stipulating that he could review the incident despite an infiltration in the crowd.

PGMOL insists their official has not forgotten the rules, but there appears to be a clear admission that Coote has made a mistake after being disqualified from refereeing and from VAR’s duty in the weekend round of Premier League matches.

Instead, Cotet will be the fourth West Ham official against Manchester City on Saturday, and a match in the tournament is set to be played next week.

Van Dijk will now miss most of the season due to an ACL injury

Van Dijk will now miss most of the season due to an ACL injury