Martin Atkinson avoids demotion

The referee who saw the red card that he handed to Everton's Jack Rodwell during the Merseyside derby overturned last week has not received a temporary demotion for his error.

Martin Atkinson adjudged that Rodwell's challenge on Liverpool's Luis Suarez during the first half at Goodison Park was worthy of an instant dismissal.

However, the Toffees appealed the decision and the midfielder's three-match suspension was wiped out.

Reports had suggested that the 40-year-old could be made to officiate a match in the Football League as a punishment, but that is not the case.

Instead, Atkinson will referee the Premier League fixture between Stoke City and Fulham on Saturday afternoon, the Professional Game Match Officials Limited announced this evening.