“Red card a joke” - Ancelotti livid at Digne decision

Lucas Digne getting sent off likely would not have made a difference to the result today as Everton lost 2-0 at Southampton in a limp display. However, the ramifications of the straight red are what concerns Carlo Ancelotti more and the Toffees manager was livid that he stands to lose another one of the best players on his side for three games after Richarlison’s straight red last weekend during the derby.

There was no doubting it was a foul this time, and Digne ‘s late nibble on Kyle Walker-Peters running away from him likely deserved a booking at most. However, his misplaced foot trod on the back of the Saints’ player’s heel and referee Kevin Friend didn’t wait for the VAR decision before sending off the Frenchman.

Speaking after the game, Ancelotti was livid about the decision, and indicated that the media furore following the game against Liverpool was the reason why Friend showed Digne the red card.

“The red card was a joke, it was not intentional, for sure it was not violent. Maybe it was a yellow. He was running behind and he had contact with the ankle of the opponent.

“He did not have intention to hurt the player or use violent conduct. It was not the right decision.

“Maybe all this talk all week against Pickford, against Richarlison, affected the decision and if so it’s not right, it’s not fair. We will appeal, for sure.”

The Liverpool and media-driven agenda to label Everton as a dirty team seems to be working perfectly for the rest of the league right now, it appears.