While the Western Sydney Wanderers team song was echoing across the change rooms after full-time in the Sydney A-League derby, the referee at the centre of their controversial win was quietly apologising to Sydney FC.

Referee Chris Beath controversially waved away at least three penalty claims for Sydney FC during their 1-0 defeat, and club sources claim he walked over to coach Graham Arnold after the match and admitted he was wrong to have denied his side a spot kick.

Captain Alex Brosque appeared to have been fouled inside the box during injury time when he was tripped by Wanderers' defender Robert Cornthwaite, only to be denied a penalty.

After seeing replays, Beath is understood to have offered an apology to Sydney FC for the last of their claims which would have given them a chance to equalise at the death – and keep their unbeaten record alive. Brosque was livid with the decision on the field and vented his frustration to Beath, maintaining he was fouled.