Get the FREE Mirror Football newsletter by email with the day's key headlines and transfer news Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Referee Jon Moss should be axed by the Premier League after a string of mistakes, one of the country's leading former match officials has insisted.

Ex-chief of referees Keith Hackett described Moss as "not up to the standard" after his latest gaffe in Crystal Palace 's 1-1 draw with Everton .

Moss awarded a free kick to Everton which Romelu Lukaku fired home.

However, Hackett said the foul awarded to Everton should have been given as an indirect free kick as Palace defender Damien Delaney didn’t make contact with Everton’s Phil Jagielka.

Hackett told You-Are-The-Ref.com : “The law is very clear. When a player commits an act of dangerous play, if there’s no contact it’s an indirect free kick.

(Image: PA) (Image: AFP/Getty)

"I expected Lukaku’s effort to be retaken and it wasn’t, that was 100% incorrect.”

Moss has found himself the subject of constant criticism and at the centre of a number of controversies this season, including the way he handled Southampton's win over West Ham and for his role in Stoke boss Mark Hughes being sent to the stands against Spurs.

And he finished rock bottom of a table compiled by You Are The Ref at the end of last season with a total of 13 incorrect key match decisions in just 22 games.

Hackett added: “Moss is a referee who is a consistent bottom of the table performer. Every time he referees it’s a bit of a disaster.

"For me he either needs a rest or he needs taking off the panel. We’ve got professional referees, so let’s be professional. He’s not up to the standard in my opinion.”