Premiership referee Styles in Bristol City penalty controversy

UNDER-FIRE Premiership referee Rob Styles was today at the centre of a new controversy involving Bristol City.

Appointed to take charge of last night's Coca-Cola Championship clash between the Robins and Sheffield United at Ashton Gate, the Hampshire official upset the home side and their supporters when turning down strong claims for a penalty midway through the second half.

Under challenge from City striker Stern John, Blades defender Ugo Ehiogu appeared to handle the ball inside the six-yard box.

But referee Styles waved away vehement claims for a spot-kick, much to the annoyance of City fans behind the goal in the Atyeo Stand.

John was in no doubt when he declared: "It was a definite handball. Ugo used his arm to block the ball and admitted as much to me afterwards on the pitch.

"But the linesman was unsighted and the referee wasn't in the best position to give it. It's frustrating, but these things happen in football and there's nothing we can do about it."

Styles was demoted to Championship duty after enraging Newcastle United boss Joe Kinnear and his players during a recent Premiership game against Manchester City at St James Park.

Television replays proved he was wrong to award a penalty to City and send off Magpies defender Habib Beye for a challenge on Brazilian striker Robinho in a game which eventually finished 2-2.

The Hampshire official was subsequently relegated to the role of fourth official during Sunday's Premier League showdown between Chelsea and Liverpool at Stamford Bridge.

"That could have been on his mind when the incident occured," said City manager Gary Johnson. "I never have a go at referees, but perhaps he needed to be 200 per cent sure it was a penalty. I was too far away (to see it), but Stern's an honest lad and he feels it should have been a penalty."

Lee Trundle missed a golden opportunity to seal victory five minutes into the second half, scuffing his close-range shot and allowing Blades keeper Paddy Kenny to make a brilliant save. Johnson added: "He knows he should have scored and he was distraught when he got back in the dressing room after the game. We have good strikers, but we need some of them to start scoring and that was a very good chance."

But the Bristol City boss was heartened by a fourth successive clean sheet and said: "If you can't score at one end, then it's important you stay solid at the other."