Everton’s issue with referees gets worse as the team receives another touchline ban.

When Everton visits the Etihad to play against Manchester City on Saturday, they’ll face daunting odds stacked against them.

Manchester City, the reigning Premier League champions, boast an impressive 33-game unbeaten streak at their home stadium.

Adding to Everton’s challenge is the absence of their manager, Sean Dyche, who will be watching the

match from the stands due to his third yellow card of the season received during their recent 2-2 draw

with Tottenham Hotspur.

Similarly, Everton Women’s manager Brian Sorensen will be absent from the dugout as his team faces Nottingham Forest in the Women’s FA Cup fifth round.

Sorensen received a red card during their 3-0 defeat to Chelsea in the Women’s Super League (WSL) and faces charges from the Football Association (FA) for using “abusive and/or insulting

words towards a match official.”

During the game against WSL leaders Chelsea, Sorensen’s frustration was evident after referee Emily Heaslip awarded Chelsea a penalty in the 27th minute, following a controversial

foul call against Everton’s Clare Wheeler. Despite replays showing it was the wrong decision, Everton’s complaints went unheeded,

resulting in Chelsea scoring twice from penalty kicks and eventually winning the game 3-0.

Sorensen’s altercation with the officials led to his dismissal from the touchline, although

he has chosen not to appeal the decision.

He acknowledged his frustration with the situation, admitting to expressing his discontent

towards the officiating but taking full responsibility for his actions.

Sorensen’s incident comes shortly after Sean Dyche called for more tolerance towards managers

expressing their frustration towards officials. Dyche argued that there should be room for understanding

from officials, especially when decisions may be questionable.

Managerial bookings for dissent towards officials have become more common in both the Premier

League and WSL, reflecting stricter directives aimed at curbing abusive conduct.

While it’s important to maintain respect towards officials, some argue that a degree of frustration should be tolerated, given the intensity of the game.

As Everton fights to avoid relegation in the Premier League and Everton

Women battles to secure their position in the WSL, the challenges faced by both

teams highlight the pressures of the current season,

compounded by injuries and other setbacks.

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