Liverpool want to think about sending a bottle of fine champagne to the assistant referee after yesterday’s match. In a bizarre turn of events, Atletico Madrid watched in horror as Liverpool were given a 90th minute penalty that Steven Gerrard slotted from the penalty spot for a 1-1 draw.
The penalty was controversial enough that Atletico got something they weren’t expecting after the game — an apology from the assistant referee.
Atletico defender Mariano Pernia claimed he received an apology from the assistant referee after a late penalty saved Liverpool at Anfield.
Pernia was adjudged to have fouled Steven Gerrard in the 94th minute of a game Atletico thought they’d won. Gerrard stepped up to convert the spot kick.
But Pernia insisted he did nothing wrong.
He said: ‘It was a very ugly decision by the linesman but we all make mistakes and I think the linesman made one.
‘In nobody’s eyes was that a penalty. We’re very hurt.
‘It was not a foul, Gerrard threw himself on top of me. The linesman said sorry after the penalty was given. He had time to correct it and go back on it but he didn’t.’ (Daily Mail)
This is just another example of a massive blunder courtesy of a referee. The “respect the ref” campaign going on in the Premier League has been working wonders for the players on the pitch; but when are going to get that much-needed “train the ref” campaign? I think the ref’s need it after another massive mistake on the pitch.