Styles admits spot-kick error

Referee accepts he made a mistake at Old Trafford

By Chris Burton   Last updated: 29th September 2008   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Styles admits spot-kick error

Styles: In the wrong

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Rob Styles has apologised to Bolton for the contentious penalty he awarded Manchester United on Saturday.

It is understood the under-fire referee has contacted the Trotters to express his regret at penalising Jlloyd Samuel's challenge on Cristiano Ronaldo.

United's Portuguese ace picked himself up to convert from the spot, sending the Red Devils on their way to a 2-0 success.

It is not the first time Styles has held his hands up for an on-field error, conceding last season that a penalty awarded to Chelsea at Anfield for a tackle by Liverpool's Steve Finnan on Florent Malouda was not deserving of the punishment he handed out.

Bolton boss Gary Megson was left incensed by the match official's latest misdemeanour, while the issue has revived calls for the introduction of technology in football to help with tough decisions.

For now, though, Styles must wait to find out whether his high-profile error will see him pulled from Premier League action this weekend.

Under the self-regulation policy of the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), the body responsible for top referees, mistakes are usually punished by removing the official concerned from top-flight fixtures the following week.