REFEREE Anthony Taylor was wrong to award Preston North End a penalty against Coventry City after being dropped down to Championship games, the EFL confirms.
After being demoted from top-flight English football for a mistake in Newcastle’s game with Wolves, Taylor is set to return for the Chelsea v Manchester City game on Sunday.
However, it has now emerged that Taylor made a mistake when he refereed Preston North End’s 3-2 win over Coventry City on Saturday.
This was the first time in four years he had officiated in the second tier and was involved in a controversial spot-kick decision.
The 45-year-old ruled that Kyle McFadzean had brought down Milutin Osmajic in the area, but replays showed the Sky Blues captain had made little contact.
After reviewing the officials’ decisions, the EFL has announced that the penalty should not have been given.
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Coventry boss Mark Robins spoke on the injustice they faced against Preston.
Robins said: “Now once or twice we have had decisions that have gone against us and again, we had one go against us with the penalty at Preston.
“We have had confirmation that it wasn’t a penalty but there’s still a bit of ambiguity around that.
“So we need to do a little bit more digging on that to get clarity on the decision they have made.”
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And fans even deemed Taylor should be “demoted to League 1 next weekend” after his dismal performance.
Taylor was forced to referee Championship football last weekend after giving Newcastle a controversial penalty in their 2-2 draw with Wolves.
The English official deemed Hwang Hee-chan to have fouled Fabian Schar but replays of the incident showed minimal contact.
But it has been announced he will make his comeback to the Premier League this weekend as Chelsea, who sit tenth in the league, host leaders City.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
