Martin Atkinson has escaped a temporary demotion from Premier League duties this weekend despite a Football Association appeals panel overturning his decision to send off Everton's Jack Rodwell during the Merseyside derby.
The three-man panel ruled that Rodwell's 23rd-minute challenge on Luis Suárez was not worthy of a red card, rescinding the three-match ban and allowing the midfielder to play in subsequent matches against Chelsea and Fulham.
The Premier League and Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) considered downgrading Atkinson for the error, which significantly impacted Everton's chances in the 2-0 defeat to Liverpool, but ultimately decided against it.
Atkinson will instead referee the match between Stoke City and Fulham on Saturday. PGMOL assessors viewed the mistake at Goodison Park as an isolated incident for the highly regarded official.
Everton chief executive Robert Elstone welcomed the rescinding of the red card but lamented the potential financial cost. 'It is no consolation to nearly 40,000 fans who had gone to the game expecting to see a contest,' he said. 'At nearly £1m a place in prize money, it could prove to be a really expensive mistake.'
