Referee Kevin Friend has been axed the next round of Premier League fixtures.
The Daily Mail says Friend is not on Premier League duty for the next round of fixtures after his contentious display during Crystal Palace's home defeat by Liverpool on January 23.
Refereeing body PGMOL say they rotate their Select Group 1 officials regularly, with three referees on EFL games each week.
Friend awarded Liverpool a penalty in the dying moments of the match, after Palace goalkeeper Vicente Guaita collided with Diogo Jota. Initially, Friend gave a goal-kick but after being advised to look at the incident by the VAR, Craig Pawson, he changed his mind - even though it appeared that Jota had initiated contact. Fabinho eventually converted the spotkick for the 3-1 Liverpool win.
PGMOL have decided to take Friend out of the firing line for the next round of Premier League fixtures and have demoted him to the Championship instead.
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