Referee Roger East has told match officials' body PGMOL that his dismissal of Wes Brown in Sunderland's defeat to Manchester United was not a case of mistaken identity.
Brown saw red in the incident which earned United a penalty in their 2-0 win at Old Trafford, although it appeared to be John O'Shea who fouled Radamel Falcao inside the box.
East says that he believed both Black Cats defenders made contact with Falcao and stands by his decision, despite O'Shea pleading with the official to send him off instead before Brown walked down the tunnel.
A statement from the PGMOL read: "From his position Roger East, the match referee, believed he saw contact from John O'Shea and Wes Brown on Radamel Falcao.
"As he thought Brown made a foul on Falcao while he was in the act of shooting, he dismissed Brown. After the incident, the match referee consulted with his team of officials but none were better placed to offer guidance."
East's decision came on the same day that football's rule-makers ruled out the imminent introduction of video technology.
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