‘He was lucky to stay on’ – Clattenburg says Nigeria’s Christantus Uche escaped red card in Crystal Palace defeat
Former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg has said that Crystal Palace’s Nigerian forward, Christantus Uche, was fortunate to avoid a red card during the club’s 2–1 loss to Everton at Goodison Park on Sunday.
The incident occurred in the closing stages of the match after the 22-year-old came on as a late substitute in the 89th minute. Moments later, Uche appeared to jab Everton captain James Tarkowski in the stomach, prompting a brief VAR review for violent conduct.
Play resumed without disciplinary action, but Clattenburg believes the Palace attacker should have been sent off.
“Christantus Uche is unlikely to face any retrospective action after appearing to punch James Tarkowski on Sunday,” Clattenburg told We Are Palace.
“The incident would have been checked by VAR and deemed not worthy of a red card.
“The Football Association do not re-referee matches when incidents are seen by the match officials, which now includes VAR. I do believe, however, that the VAR should have recommended a review for a red card for violent conduct.”
Clattenburg, who officiated both the 2016 UEFA Champions League and Euro 2016 finals, suggested that Tarkowski’s calm response may have influenced the outcome.
The Everton defender did not go down theatrically, which likely prevented a harsher verdict and a possible three-match ban for Uche.
Uche, on loan from Spanish side Getafe, joined Crystal Palace in the summer with an option for a permanent transfer worth just over €20 million should he make ten starts. So far, he has made only three substitute appearances across all competitions.
The limited playing time has reportedly concerned both Getafe and Ceuta, as Uche battles for more minutes in England while also seeking to secure his place in the Nigeria national team.
Having featured in friendlies against Jamaica and Russia earlier this year, the young forward is now in Polokwane, South Africa, where Nigeria face Lesotho in a crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier — a match that could mark his competitive debut for the Super Eagles.
