FORMER York-based referee Matt Messias today admitted a double penalty gaffe during his controversial handling of the FA Cup fifth round replay between Liverpool and Portsmouth.

First Messias awarded a penalty for visitors Liverpool for a handball offence when television cameras showed that Reds striker Milan Baros had in fact handled the ball. Within seconds and after consulting with a lineman Messias promptly changed his mind and gave a free-kick to Portsmouth.

But Pompey's cup-tie ire was again stoked to boiling-point. Soon after the first incident Baros was tackled superbly by Pompey midfielder Matthew Taylor. Again Messias pointed to the spot, and to Portsmouth's relief a weak penalty from Michael Owen was saved by home goalkeeper Shaka Hislop.

The Portsmouth net-minder kept the Reds further at bay until the final whistle as the Fratton Park side held on to their 1-0 advantage given them by substitute Richard Hughes to seal a quarter-final home clash against holders Arsenal.

Messias, who was appointed to the FIFA panel of referees just over a year ago, today however admitted that he had got both penalty awards wrong.

On the first spot-kick furore he explained that he thought he had got it wrong and so consulted his lineman, who said he had not seen the incident. Conceded Messias: "I gave myself some time to gather my thoughts and changed my mind.

"I changed my mind because it was the right thing to do."

And now, having viewed the second tangle between Taylor and Baros on television, Messias added that his second penalty award was equally flawed. "I've since seen it on video and it wasn't a penalty."

A former student at York's St John's College, Messias started refereeing in the York and District Saturday League. He was elevated to the Premiership just over three years ago after which he stepped down as the head of PE at Thirsk School.

Updated: 10:51 Tuesday, February 24, 2004