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'All he can do is look at it and learn from it': Referee Jon Moss apologises after costly error

Bournemouth defender Adam Smith was booked for diving and will now serve a one-game suspension.

BOURNEMOUTH DEFENDER ADAM SMITH received an apology from referee Jon Moss after the full-back was denied a penalty and booked for diving in the first half of a 1-1 draw with Southampton.

Smith felt the home side should have had a spot kick when he was brought down by Sofiane Boufal, but Moss did not agree.

Instead the official showed Smith a yellow card for simulation, a decision that will see the 26-year-old serve a one-game suspension.

It could have made the difference for the Cherries after they were held to a 1-1 draw on Sunday, and Smith revealed Moss had subsequently acknowledged it should have been a penalty.

“In the changing room I think overall we’re disappointed,” he told Sky Sports. “We should have had a penalty in the first half too but there were a lot of positives to take away.

“I got to the ball just before him, jumped to go over it and he [Boufal] took me down.

“For the ref to book me doesn’t help because that’s my fifth yellow card of the season. I spoke to him after and he apologised and said it was a penalty.

I don’t mind him admitting it but the fact that he booked me and can’t get it rescinded, I’ll miss the next game. If we had got the penalty maybe we would have gone and scored another one. But we got a point and need to look forward now.”

AFC Bournemouth v Burnley - Premier League - Vitality Stadium Steven Paston Steven Paston

Like Smith, Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe was angry at the decision and criticised Moss for not awarding what he felt was a “stonewall” penalty.

Speaking to BBC Sport, he added: “It was a clear penalty. I felt it at the time. I could not believe what the referee did and to see it again makes you feel even worse, it’s one of the most stonewall penalties you will see all season.

“We also lose [Smith] to suspension, so it’s a huge blow. All he [Moss] can do is look at it and learn from it. I can’t ask for more than that.

“Everyone wants to see diving taken out of the game but maybe he was looking for it where it hadn’t happened.”

Reflecting on the point, Howe was able to find some positives, but was frustrated they let a lead slip.

“It was much better from us today,” he said. “Today we were good, Southampton were good too, there was no thought about settling for a point from either side.

“But we were disappointed, having taken the lead, not to hold on.”

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