West Brom receive apology from referees’ chief after controversial Chelsea penalty

West Brom have received an official apology from referees’ chief Mike Riley after a controversial penalty award denied them victory over Chelsea.

The Baggies were on their way to inflicting Jose Mourinho’s first ever Premier League home defeat as Blues boss, but Andre Marriner pointed to the spot deep in injury-time after an innocuous challenge between Ramires and Steven Reid, allowing Eden Hazard to make it 2-2.

Albion boss Steve Clarke was furious with the official, and his players demanded an apology from Marriner, which has now seemingly been forthcoming from Riley.

‘We’ve had a phone call from Mike Riley to apologise,’ Clarke told the club’s official 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 next face Aston Villa in a west Midlands derby on Monday.

Adapted from The Metro