West Brom's Gareth McAuley set to be cleared of red card after referee error

West Brom's Gareth McAuley is expected to be cleared of any wrongdoing after being incorrectly dismissed in Saturday's 3-0 defeat at Manchester City.

The Football Association is likely to switch the red card to the correct player, Craig Dawson, who would be handed a one-match suspension.

Dawson fouled Wilfried Bony in the second minute of the Premier League clash at the Etihad Stadium but, following a case of mistaken identity, referee Neil Swarbrick showed the red card to McAuley, not Dawson.

Swarbrick admitted his mistake in a statement from the Professional Game Match Officials Ltd, the organisation responsible for refereeing appointments.

The statement read: "In the second minute of Manchester City v West Bromwich Albion, referee Neil Swarbrick made a decision to send off Gareth McAuley for a 'denial of an obvious goalscoring opportunity' offence.

"The referee has confirmed the offence was caused by a different player, which should be addressed now as a case of mistaken identity. The referee has apologised for his error."

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Following the case of mistaken identity, West Brom manager Tony Pulis called for the use of video technology in the Premier League.

It is the second such controversy in the top-flight in three weeks and the third in a year after incidents involving Sunderland and Arsenal.

"Refereeing is not easy, especially at the level we are at now and how quick the game is,” said Pulis, who suggested managers get two challenges in a game.

"This product is one of the greatest products this country now sells all over the world, but it is no good moaning about referees. What we have to do is find a way to help referees out."