Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall has described his latest yellow card as a "mind-boggling" decision, one that means he must serve a one-match ban this Sunday despite the meeting with Crystal Palace at Bramley-Moore Dock being only Everton's seventh Premier League fixture of the season. 

The midfielder finds himself suspended already after being booked in yet more farcical circumstances against West Ham on Monday evening, this time by referee Sam Barrott.

Barrott entered Dewsbury-Hall's name into the book late in the 1-1 draw with the Hammers when his foot caught that of Kyle Walker-Peters during what appeared to be a perfectly legal challenge, certianly one not worthy of a yellow card. 

The incredulous former Chelsea man beat the turf in frustration before pleasing his case vainly with the official and then he took to the social media platform now known as X to express his annoyance at another mystifying refereeing call.

This comes after Dewsbury-Hall was booked by Darren England during the recent Anfield derby for trying to take a quick free-kick while the ref was in the process of positioning Liverpool's defensive players.

"Forgive me if I’m wrong, and I might be, but some of these decisions are so hard to take. Mind boggling," he posted.

 The 27-year-old will miss his first league since joining Everton over the summer, forcing David Moyes into changing what has been a settled trio playing behind the striker this season.

Dewsbury-Hall's frustration was felt by former referee, Mark Clattenburg — no stranger to controversy himself — who told TBR Football: 

“I can understand the referee’s judgment as Dewsbury-Hall goes into the tackle with some speed, catching his opponent on the foot after playing the ball. Personally, I think the referee could have played on as he plays the ball and his foot accidentally hits his opponent’s foot in the follow-through.

“Dewsbury-Hall can be disappointed that he will get a one-match suspension for his fifth yellow card. This disappointment was even made worse when, in the last week, he was given a yellow card late in the match against Liverpool for taking a quick free kick, which I believe the referee could have managed in a better way.

“You cannot appeal yellow cards, so you will miss this weekend’s match.”

Reader Responses

Selected thoughts from readers
Certain off-topic comments may be removed to keep the discussion on track

1  Darren Hind
04/10/2025    05:52:37

I'm honestly beginning to think I no longer understand the rules of the game I've spent over seventy years passionately following.

I actually stood and applauded that tackle at the time. It was exactly the sort of tackle I want to see from our players. Fair, firm and committed with the ball clearly won.

I've just read that these SG1 referee's earn around 180k a year in salary + match fee's. The average EPL ref will pull in around a quarter of a million quid a season. For that sort of money there surely has to be a greater accountability. Sam Barrot should have been forced to come out in front of the cameras after the match to explain his fuckwittery. As should Darren England last week.

At a time when seemingly every decision made can be overturned retrospectively. Why are we still seeing players (and their clubs) punished for a referee`s incompetence ?

Twat decision, made by a complete twat

2  Paul Tran
05/10/2025    10:23:22

Telling that PGMOL have apparently admitted the last two cards were mistakes. But it does make you wonder what game some of these referees are watching. There's definitely a focus on looking to penalise rather than let games flow. And little knowledge of what constitutes a tackle.

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