David Moyes Slams ‘Ridiculous’ Red Card as Everton Drop Points Against Wolves

Everton manager David Moyes launched a furious attack on the officials after Michael Keane was sent off for alleged hair-pulling during the 1-1 draw with Wolves, branding the decision “ridiculous”.

The controversial incident occurred late in the second half at Hill Dickinson Stadium when Keane challenged Wolves forward Tolu Arokodare for an aerial ball. Following a VAR review, referee Thomas Kirk was advised by video assistant Chris Kavanagh to consult the pitchside monitor. After viewing the footage, Kirk dismissed the Everton centre-half for violent conduct.

Moyes, however, strongly disagreed with both the on-field decision and the VAR intervention, insisting the incident did not warrant a red card.

“It is not violent, it is not forceful and it is not deliberate,” Moyes said. “All of that tells you it should not have been a red card. I think it was a really poor decision to send the referee to the screen in the first place. The problem for me was VAR — that is where the ridiculous decision came from.”

The Everton boss compared the incident to previous hair-pulling offences, suggesting the context of Keane’s challenge had been ignored.

“This was a situation in open play with the ball coming in,” Moyes added. “Unless you have played the game, you might not understand. I’ve been a centre-half and there is no way you jump to challenge a big striker while deliberately thinking about pulling his hair at the same time.

“I don’t know anyone in football who is capable of thinking like that while jumping. If players grow their hair longer, they run the risk of it being tugged in aerial duels. Everybody was frustrated and couldn’t believe the decision.”

Moyes’ anger was evident throughout the closing stages, with the Everton manager himself being booked for protesting. However, his frustration was not limited to the officiating, as he also expressed disappointment with Jack Grealish’s conduct.

The on-loan Manchester City midfielder was first shown a yellow card for dissent before being dismissed moments later for sarcastically applauding a decision by Kirk. Grealish followed Keane down the tunnel, a move Moyes admitted he found unacceptable.

When asked whether Grealish had been unprofessional, Moyes replied bluntly: “Yes, I agree — and I have already spoken to him.”

Everton now face the prospect of being without Keane for three matches, although Moyes said the club had yet to decide whether to appeal the suspension. Grealish will serve a one-match ban after receiving two yellow cards.

Despite his anger over the red card, Moyes conceded that Everton’s performance prior to Keane’s dismissal in the 83rd minute had fallen below expectations. Mateus Mané’s late strike secured a point for Wolves.

“Not great,” Moyes admitted. “It was always going to be a difficult game and we could have gone two goals up before half-time, but we never really felt in control of the match.”