Referees chief 'sorry' over Chelsea penalty

LONDON - Agence France-Presse

West Bromwich Albion's Scottish manager Steve Clarke. AFP Photo

The Premier League's refereeing organisation has apologised to West Bromwich Albion over a penalty awarded against them in their recent match at Chelsea, manager Steve Clarke revealed on Wednesday.
 
West Brom were denied victory at Stamford Bridge after Chelsea were controversially awarded a stoppage-time penalty when Ramires went down in the box following a collision with visiting defender Steven Reid.
 
Eden Hazard scored from the spot to earn Chelsea a 2-2 draw, much to Clarke's annoyance, but he says that Mike Riley, head of the Professional Game Match Officials Board (PGMOB), subsequently called West Brom to say sorry.
 
"We've had a phone call from Mike Riley to apologise," Clarke told the club website.
 
"It doesn't get us any more points, but it's nice of Mike to phone. If he's apologising, he obviously feels it was the wrong decision. We have to put it behind us now and move forward." West Brom also received an apology from referee Howard Webb after he failed to give them a penalty in a 0-0 draw at Stoke City on October 19.
 
Clarke believes that West Brom have been cost five points by erroneous penalty decisions this season, prompting the club to send a letter to the Premier League and PGMOB highlighting the matter.
 
"The purpose of the letter is to try and provoke discussion," said Clarke.
 
"It's not necessarily a discussion between us and the authorities, but a discussion between everyone and the authorities to see if there is a way we can improve the game." West Brom are currently 10th in the table ahead of their derby clash with Aston Villa on Monday.