West Brom: Mike Riley apologises over Chelsea penalty

West Brom have received an apology from referees' chief Mike Riley for the award of Chelsea's injury-time penalty at Stamford Bridge earlier this month.

Albion were 2-1 up when referee Andre Marriner controversially awarded a spot kick four minutes into added time for Steven Reid's challenge on Ramires.

Eden Hazard scored to earn a 2-2 draw, denying the Baggies a first league win at Stamford Bridge since 1978.

"We've had a phone call from Mike Riley to apologise," said boss Steve Clarke.

"He obviously feels it was the wrong decision. It doesn't get us any more points but it's nice of Mike to phone."

The response from Riley, head of Professional Game and Match Officials Ltd (PGMOL), is in direct contrast to Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho's post-match defence of Marriner's decision.

"I have watched it two or three times and it was a clear penalty," Mourinho told BBC Sport. "The referee made many mistakes during the game but that was not a mistake."

Riley's call to the club is the second apology Albion have received inside a month, with former World Cup final referee Howard Webb having also said sorry for not awarding Clarke's side a penalty during the goalless draw with Stoke City at the Britannia Stadium last month.

The club have sent a letter to the Premier League and referees' body PGMOL highlighting four penalty decisions that have gone against them in the opening 11 games of the season.

"The purpose of the letter is to try and provoke discussion," said Clarke. "It's not necessarily a discussion between us and the authorities but a discussion between everyone and the authorities to see if there is a way we can improve the game.

"If there is technology that can be used to help referees make difficult decisions, which is what they have to do, then let's look at it and see what we can come up with."

Albion sit 10th in the Premier League table ahead of Monday night's home derby against neighbours Aston Villa, who are level on points and just a place behind.