Mauricio Pellegrino has praised referee Jon Moss for his honesty after last weekend’s penalty controversy at Bournemouth.

Moss booked Cherries full back Smith for diving in the 1-1 draw with Saints after he went down under a challenge from Sofiane Boufal.

Replays divided opinion as to whether or not it was a correct decision, but after reviewing the evidence Moss has apparently apologised to Smith for making an incorrect call.

Cherries manager Eddie Howe praised Moss, and Pellegrino did too.

“This action talks about the good intention as a human being of the referee,” said Pellegrino.

“You have to have personality to assume your own mistake.

“It is really difficult in our society to say ‘I made a mistake.’ “For me this is something really good and you can accept for the future, and you can be better when you accept your mistake.

“For sure you will be a better referee in the future.”

Asked if he was relieved that Moss didn’t give the spot kick at the time he replied: “I trust in the good intention as a human being of a referee.

“All of them want to do a good job because they want to keep their jobs and in the top level it is not easy to decide in one second.

“In the next few tournaments they are using the technology to help them because it is really difficult.”

Football is starting to bring in technology to help referees, including a trial in this season’s FA Cup.

Pellegrino is cautious about its full introduction until it has been proven in action, and wants to see the trials reviewed to allow the sport to move forward properly.

“I think we have to try and after analyse and decide if it is good for the future,” he reflected.

“Most sports use the technology to make the decision as quick as possible and be correct.”