Referee Marriner avoids demotion despite Arsenal blunder

Referee Andre Marriner has avoided demotion from Premier League action despite his high-profile blunder at Chelsea.

The Premier League confirmed on Monday that the 43-year-old will take charge of Saturday's match between Southampton and Newcastle.

Marriner caused controversy at Stamford Bridge during the Blues' 6-0 thrashing of Arsenal when he inadvertently dismissed Kieran Gibbs in a case of mistaken identity.

Gibbs was handed a red card after team-mate Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain had handled a shot from Eden Hazard.

A subsequent statement from refereeing body the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) confirmed that he had apologised to the Gunners for his error.
The game at St Mary's Stadium will now see Marriner will take charge of his 23rd match of the current Premier League season.

Gibbs's red card could yet be rescinded by the Football Association, while Oxlade-Chamberlain may be subjected to a retrospective ban.