Premier League referee Jon Moss has apologised to Bournemouth's Adam Smith for booking the defender and not awarding the Cherries a penalty in the 1-1 stalemate against Southampton.
South coast rivals Bournemouth and Southampton were drawing 0-0 after 32 minutes when Sofiane Boufal brought down Smith in the Saints penalty box, with Moss showing the defender a yellow card for diving against the furious protests of the home crowd.
The yellow card was Smith's fifth of the Premier League season, meaning he will now be suspended for Bournemouth's trip to Crystal Palace -- who are only five points behind the Cherries -- on Saturday.
"I spoke to him [Moss] after and he apologised and said it was a penalty," Smith told Sky Sports.
"I don't mind him admitting it but the fact he's booked me as well, and it's probably not going to get rescinded is disappointing for me.
"At the time we were doing really well. We were on top of them. I felt if we'd have got that penalty we'd have gone on and scored another one. It would have changed the game."
Bournemouth eventually took a first-half lead through Ryan Fraser on 42 minutes after Joshua King dispossessed Wesley Hoedt in a dangerous position, before Charlie Austin equalised for the visitors on the hour mark.
The game ended in a draw, meaning that Bournemouth are without a win in the last three Premier League matches, and now travel to Crystal Palace who have not lost at Selhurst Park since Sept. 16.
Speaking after the game, Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe told Sky Sports: "I think it's a really poor decision.
"I'm amazed it wasn't given and it's had a knock-on effect for us because now Adam is suspended for the next game."
