Everton make formal complaint to Premier League over Rodri VAR call vs Man City

Everton's anger over the decision not to award them a penalty against Manchester City has led them to make a formal complaint to the Premier League.

City had taken a late lead at Goodison Park, but had their hearts in their mouths as Rodri attempted to control a ball in the area and it appeared to hit his arm. The referee didn't award the penalty but the Video Assistant Referee took a lengthy look at the incident before advising that no further action should be taken.

Replays appeared to show a fairly clear handball by Rodri as the ball struck the inside of his elbow. However, the Premier League justified the decision not to award the penalty by saying there was not enough conclusive evidence that enough of the ball struck the so-called 'red zone' used to determine handballs.

ALSO READ: Pep Guardiola FA Cup press conference as he issues team news for Peterborough trip

Because some of the ball touched Rodri's sleeve, and the top of the arm is not judged to constitute handball, City were let off the hook and saw out the win.

Everton boss Frank Lampard was furious after the game, suggesting his three-year-old could tell it was handball and he asked: "Even if the VAR says not sure, then go have a look. It is incompetence at best, if not that then someone needs to explain what it is."

Now, the Liverpool Echo reports that Everton chief executive Denise Barrett-Baxendale has made a formal complaint to the Premier League over the incident.

They report that Barrett-Baxendale has issued a 'strongly-worded message', expressed gave concerns at the quality of officiating in Everton matches recently, and demanded an apology to Lampard and his players over the VAR decision.

Had Everton been awarded the penalty, and subsequently