Styles axed after Anfield gaffe
Referees' chief Keith Hackett has confirmed Rob Styles won't referee a Premier League game this weekend after his display at Anfield on Sunday.
Styles awarded Chelsea a controversial penalty against Liverpool on Sunday for a foul by Steve Finnan on Florent Malouda, but replays showed the Reds defender to be completely innocent.
Styles has since admitted to Hackett that he got the decision wrong but has nevertheless been withdrawn from the next round of Premier League games.
Hackett told Sky Sports News: "I have spoken to Rob and obviously he was extremely disappointed when he looked at the video with the decision.
"He has admitted that he got it wrong, but accountability exists and we at the PGMOL (Professional Game Match Officials Limited) do expect referees to get the big decisions right.
"Therefore Rob will not be officiating next weekend."
Styles also appeared to show Michael Essien a second yellow card without sending the Chelsea player off, and Hackett will look into the matter.
However, he is satisfied that Styles did not intend to caution Essien and was in fact booking John Terry.
He explained: "I've investigated that and it might be the subject of further investigation, but I have been informed by both the fourth official and Rob that it was a basic, if you like, admin error, rather than an error of application of law."
No decision has yet been made on Styles' future after next weekend.
