Mike Riley apologises to Everton for mistake in not spotting Rodri handball

Referees’ chief Mike Riley has personally apologised to Frank Lampard for mistakes made in Everton’s defeat by Manchester City.

Lampard accused the VAR official Chris Kavanagh of being a “professional who cannot do his job right” after his team’s 1-0 loss to the Premier League champions at Goodison Park last Saturday.

Kavanagh failed to advise the referee, Paul Tierney, over a handball by Rodri which would have given Everton a late chance of a penalty equaliser.

Everton’s chief executive, Denise Barrett-Baxendale, wrote to the Premier League on Monday with the club’s concerns and demanded an apology.

It is understood Riley, managing director of Professional Game Match Officials Limited, subsequently called Everton’s manager and the club’s chairman, Bill Kenwright, to apologise for the mistakes made around the incident.

After the match Lampard said: “The decision is incredible and that loses us the opportunity to get what we deserved.”