Referee apologises for penalty error

Referee Rob Styles has apologised for the controversial penalty decision that allowed Manchester United to take the lead against Bolton Wanderers in Saturday8217;s Premier League game, which the champions went on to win 2-0.

Styles penalised J-lloyd Samuel for bringing down Cristiano Ronaldo after an hour when TV pictures showed that he played the ball, and not even the Portuguese winger appealed.

8220;He has written to referees8217; chief Keith Hackett and said that in the video he8217;s made a mistake and he wants to apologise for it,8221; former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher told Sky Sports News. 8220;He8217;s held his hand up, he knows he made a mistake, he was in the perfect position but he thought Ronaldo had nicked the ball away.8221;