Varga error to cost Barber

Referee Graham Barber could be dropped from high-profile Premiership games following his failure to send off Sunderland's Stanislav Varga in Saturday's 1-1 draw with Liverpool.

The FA's referees committee will ask Barber why he did not carry out the mandatory instruction after he awarded a penalty for Varga's trip on Gary McAllister which led to Liverpool's equaliser. The incident sparked uproar, with television replays showing the foul took place outside the area, but Barber is in trouble for not dismissing the already-booked Varga, who clearly prevented a scoring opportunity.

The FA has the power to suspend referees in such circumstances, although it is likely that Barber will escape with a ticking-off because of his previous good record.

His likely explanation would be that he 'forgot' amid the furore over the penalty but that will have cut little ice with the match observer after an instruction to down grade referees' marks where mandatory orders are not applied.

Sunderland's England striker Kevin Phillips could also be in hot water with the FA after he described the official's efforts as 'amateurish'. Barber booked eight and reported three home players for 'over-zealous celebrations' following Don Hutchison's opener. Phillips said: 'We are professionals and work hard all week preparing for games and then the refs, who are amateurs, are spoiling them.' Phillips, who already faces a two-game ban after picking up his 10th caution of the season for disputing the penalty award, added: 'I was very disappointed with the ref's display. He gave Liverpool a penalty when the challenge was outside the box.' Phillips, who misses the next two games, was unhappy over his booking. 'The ref had given the penalty and I was just talking to the linesman. I didn't swear, run over to him, point at him or anything like that. I was just talking and the ref charged over and booked me. It was amateurish.'