Styles pays penalty for wrong call

LONDON, England -- Premier League referee Rob Styles has been dropped from this weekend's program after awarding Chelsea a controversial penalty in Sunday's match at Liverpool.

Styles gave Chelsea a spot kick when Florent Malouda went down despite minimal contact from Liverpool defender Steve Finnan and Frank Lampard converted to give the London side a 1-1 draw at Anfield.

Referees' chief Keith Hackett told Sky Sports News: "Accountability exists and we do expect referees to get big decisions correct.

"On this occasion it was wrong and therefore Rob will not be officiating next weekend."

Hackett, the general manager of Professional Game Match Officials Limited, says he has left a message with Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez apologizing for the blunder.

"Having looked at a video and seen a better angle and a better view, clearly he (Styles) now recognizes that he got it wrong and he's deeply apologetic for that," said Hackett.

"I think, in fact, he too will be making contact with Liverpool in order to offer his apologies."

Styles also caused confusion by appearing to issue a second yellow card to Chelsea's Michael Essien -- having just booked Chelsea captain John Terry.

Hackett explained: "I'm informed by both the fourth official and Rob he retained the card shown to John Terry then held the card to indicate a direct free-kick, and failed to put the card away.

"So it was a basic, if you like, admin error as against an error in application of law. We'll look at the video to ensure we don't get a repeat of that."

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard criticized Styles' performance, saying he "cracked" under pressure on the penalty decision.

"Whether it was because the Chelsea players were talking I don't know, but in the end he's cracked and made a bad decision. It wasn't a penalty and I hope he comes out and says sorry now," said the England midfield star.

"We have to apologize as players if we make mistakes so I hope he does the same."

Hackett also said assistant referee Ian Gosling will be given next weekend off after he denied Fulham a late equalizer at home to Middlesbrough when striker David Healy clearly forced the ball over the line.

The Cottagers lost 2-1 to Boro at Craven Cottage and Hackett added: "Clearly the assistant referee has made an error, so he won't be operating next week for us either." E-mail to a friend