A FORMER top referee has said he was left “dumbfounded” by the “worst decision in the Premier League this season” when Roger East ignored Cherries’ penalty claims at Stoke.

Keith Hackett, who took charge of the 1981 FA Cup final and officiated at the European Championship finals in 1988, also questioned whether East should be retained as a top-flight official.

Controversy erupted at the bet365 Stadium on Saturday when Callum Wilson was scythed down by Ryan Shawcross’s mistimed 10th-minute challenge.

East dismissed Cherries’ ensuing spot-kick appeals and there was widespread condemnation of the decision.

“I was dumbfounded when East, from a good viewing position, waved the appeals to one side,” Hackett wrote in the Daily Telegraph.

“It was the worst decision I have witnessed in the Premier League this season and there have been a few bad ones already.”

Hackett also criticised East’s inconsistent handling of players and poor management of the game in the Potteries.

Eddie Howe said he would be contacting referees' chief Mike Riley to discuss his concerns regarding East's decisions.

And Hackett, who preceded Riley in his post as general manager of Professional Game Match Officials Limited, is sure the officials' governing body share his views on East's unsuitability to referee at the highest level.

Pointing to the fact the 51-year-old has been chosen to handle only five top-flight games this season, Hackett added: "East needs to be kept away from any appointments in the Premier League until he regains his confidence that is if he is to be retained. That has to questioned at the moment."