REFEREES’ chief Keith Hackett has phoned Roy Keane to apologise for the clangers which have jeopardised Sunderland’s Premier League status.

The Black Cats would already be mathematically safe but for a series of refereeing cock-ups which have cost them vital points.

Hackett felt obliged to contact Keane this week following Mike Riley’s controversial decision to award Manchester City a penalty at the Stadium of Light last week – when video replays showed that Nyron Nosworthy did not touch Daniel Sturridge.

City went on to win 2-1 – which sees Sunderland just seven points above the drop zone with some tricky games still to play.

Games against relegation-strugglers Bolton at the Reebok and at home to Arsenal on the last day of the season could still prove vital.

Keane said: “I do not know where Keith got my mobile number but he rang up to apologise.

“It is of little or no consolation to us and will not make much difference to our supporters, but we had a good chat.

“His exact words to me were that neither he, nor the assessor, could get their heads around why the referee would give the penalty.

“His positioning was good and they told me the player should have been booked and a free-kick awarded to us.”

Keane claims that if good and bad decisions even themselves out over a season, Sunderland can expect five penalties in Sunday’s Tyne-Wear derby.