FORMER Premier League referees have slammed the decision to allow Sunderland's winner against Liverpool at the Stadium of Light.
Referee Mike Jones let the goal stand despite the fact that Darren Bent's shot deflected off a beach ball and flew past Pepe Reina.
Dermot Gallagher, who refereed in the top flight from 1992 to 2007, said: "It was a glaring error and it's difficult to fathom.
"Even referees in local parks should know that if there is an outside agent on the pitch then you stop the game and restart it with a drop ball.
"When you set out as a referee you learn the laws of the game and everyone should know it.
"For it to happen at this level and in such a high profile game is unbelievable. Any one of the four officials should have stepped in."
Fellow ex-top flight referee Jeff Winter added: "I'm absolutely amazed. It is a basic law in football and the goal should just not have stood.
"I try to defend referees whenever possible but this, in terms of interpreting the laws of the game, is far more serious than when a ball crosses a line and somebody doesn't see it."
