‘Hope they can move on now’ – Man City fans react as Everton boss handed an Apology over Rodri handball

Everton manager Frank Lampard has received a personal apology from PGMOL managing director Mike Riley following the controversial decision to not award them a penalty during their Premier League meeting with Manchester City on Saturday.

With the Toffees trailing 1-0 the ball seemed to strike Rodri‘s hand in the City box, but referee Paul Tierney was not interested and the decision was strangely not referred to VAR.

After the game, Lampard described the situation as “incompetence at best” and added: “I’ll wait for the statement or apology they do when things are wrong but it will mean nothing.”

Speaking in a press conference on Monday, Pep Guardiola himself admitted that the penalty should have stood, as reported by the Manchester Evening News.

“It looks offside for Richarlison,” he said. “If it’s not offside it’s a penalty.”

Reports on Monday claimed Everton lodged a consequent formal complaint, while also asking for an apology to Lampard and his squad in the wake of the controversy.

According to Sky Sports, the general manager of the Professional Game Match Official Limited (PGMOL) Mike Riley – head of referees – has now apologised to both Lampard and Bill Kenwright, effectively admitting the decision was wrong.

The report was shared on Twitter by City Xtra and it attracted plenty of attention from the club’s supporters – here are some of the best responses.

“What is the apology going to do?”
Credit: @BlackTonyBlair

“Hope they can move on now.”
Credit: @Sos29071

“I hope city respond by requesting apologies for every incident that has gone against us this season, strange precedent to set”
Credit: @James

“If Mike Riley is starting to hand out apologies…
1.Where is our apology for Milner not getting sent off against us?
2.Where is our apology for Ashley Young nearly taking Aguero’s kneecap off in 17/18 season and not being given a penalty?
This is just for starters.”
Credit: Luke@Komps4

“Can we have one for the 3x Milner challenges that all went unpunished?”
Credit: @StatCity

“Bolton are still waiting for an apology from Everton for the goal that was disallowed, relegating Bolton rather than Everton.”
Credit: @mcfccookster

“Apology is all that they can get. We move….”
Credit: @Blackfranchiz

“Good for them. Let them keep the apology, we’ll keep the 3 points.”
Credit: @vhoooosh