Ref Mike Jones is set to be dropped from this week's Premiership round after allowing Sunderland's beach-ball goal to stand in victory over Liverpool.

The Sun says the Cheshire ref allowed Darren Bent's winner against Liverpool to stand after it cannoned in off a red beachball thrown on to the pitch by a young Kop fan.

But the effort should have been chalked off and the match stopped.

Jones, 41, in his second League season, will be asked to explain his actions - as will his three assistants - after all appeared unsure about the rules.

Jones will be hammered when the Professional Game Match Officials board meets today.