Rob Styles will not referee in the Premiership this weekend
and it could be up to a month before the official takes charge of a
top-flight fixture again after he was sanctioned following his
performance at Anfield on Sunday.
Styles, who has apologised to Liverpool for awarding Chelsea a
penalty when he ruled that Steve Finnan had fouled Florent Malouda,
will be expected to complete a "run of low-key games" in the
Football League before returning to the Premier League.
"Referees are aware of the accountability that exists, as are the
managers and players, and we expect referees to get big decisions
correct," said Keith Hackett, the head of Professional Game Match
Officials. "I think the position is [Rob] is not going to be used
next week and he can have a run of low-key games where he can get
his form back and it can repair the guy for the Premiership."
Hackett has also dropped Ian Gosling after the assistant referee
failed to award Fulham a late goal against Middlesbrough on
Saturday when David Healy's shot crossed the line.
Hackett will today meet Styles and the fourth official at Anfield,
Phil Dowd, to discuss a second controversial incident, involving
Michael Essien. The Chelsea midfielder appeared to be awarded two
yellow cards only for Styles to claim the second was intended for
John Terry.
