Atletico Madrid defender Mariano Pernia claims the official who gave Liverpool's penalty apologised to him.
Atletico stars rue Reds penalty
Atletico Madrid defender Mariano Pernia claims the assistant referee who gave a penalty against him during the 1-1 draw with Liverpool has apologised.
Steven Gerrard's controversial injury-time penalty salvaged a draw for Liverpool after Pernia was harshly adjudged to have fouled the Reds skipper inside the box.
The penalty award infuriated the Atletico players as the draw saw them miss out on the chance of securing qualification to the knockout stages.
Pernia is adamant he did nothing wrong and that the assistant referee admitted his mistake.
"It was a very ugly decision by the linesman, but we all make mistakes, us players too, and I think the linesman made one here," said Pernia.
"In nobody's eyes was that a penalty. We're very hurt to have drawn the game in what was practically the final minute.
"It was an inexistent foul, Gerrard threw himself on top of me. It couldn't have been more clear.
Sorry
"The linesman said 'sorry, sorry' after the penalty was given. He had time to correct it and go back on it but he didn't."
Atletico's goalscorer Maxi Rodriguez also admitted the late penalty award was hard to swallow.
"It makes you so angry to draw like that," said Maxi.
"We'd been planning for this all week and then it's a shame that all gets thrown way in the final action of the game, and to be honest I think the referee made a mistake."
