Everton dealt Allan blow after appeal rejected as former referee explains red card decision

Everton will be without Brazilian midfielder Allan for two important Premier League fixtures after their red card appeal was twice rejected. The Toffees midfielder was originally awarded a yellow card for scything down Allan Saint-Maximin but VAR overturned the decision and recommended a red be shown.

Frank Lampard's side move three points clear of the drop, but fellow relegation rivals Burnley have two games in hand and are set to face the Blues, a game which Allan will now miss.

In a statement, Everton FC said: "Allan’s three-match suspension has been upheld after an independent regulatory commission rejected two appeals from Everton over the midfielder’s dismissal against Newcastle United on Thursday. Allan was initially booked for an 83rd-minute challenge on Newcastle’s Allan Saint-Maximin during Everton’s 1-0 victory at Goodison Park but, following a VAR check, the Brazilian was given a red card for serious foul play.

"Everton’s request to overturn that decision was rejected on Friday by the commission, as was a second appeal to downgrade the ban for excessive punishment. The decision means Allan will miss Sunday’s FA Cup quarter-final tie at Crystal Palace and next month’s Premier League trips to West Ham United and Burnley."

Despite Everton's appeals, former Premier League referee Dermott Gallagher believes VAR made the right decision. Speaking to Sky Sports, Gallagher said: "I think it falls under on-field yellow card.

"We've got to accept now that there's a new layer of scrutiny and that layer of scrutiny is look at each and every tackle and what they've done. When you look at that tackle, as the VAR shows it, you see the image of Allan with both feet off the ground flying through the air, because it's