Goalline Technology Denied Sheffield United Three Points
The operator of the Premier League’s goalline technology system has apologised after an error denied Sheffield United a goal in their 0-0 draw at Aston Villa. Aston Villa goalkeeper Orjan Nyland carried Oliver Norwood’s 42nd-minute free-kick over the line.
The referee of the game, Michael Oliver did not receive a signal to indicate whether or not the ball is a goal and so it was not given. Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder said: “I think the goalkeeper was in the Holte End when he caught it,” while Hawk-Eye said it “unreservedly apologises”, and acknowledged that the ball had gone over the line.
The English Premier League goalline technology company said it was the first time such an error had occurred in more than 9,000 matches that has been played using the program. They further explained that all seven of its cameras monitoring the goal were obscured by either the goalkeeper, a defender or the goalpost.
Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder approached Oliver at the interval, and he said: “Seven cameras haven’t picked it up the most technical league in the world – everything we see at every angle and it hasn’t seen a goal. “We went to Tottenham last year, John Lundstram’s big toe was offside and I was hanging around in the pouring rain for 10 minutes waiting for a decision. I don’t understand why I can’t wait 10 minutes in Birmingham.
The body responsible for Premier League referees the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) said that video assistant referee had not intervened due to the “unique” situation of the on-field match officials not receiving a signal.
Before the match both sets of players took a knee in support of the Black Lives Matter movement. Sheffield United’s Twitter account posted two messages in response to the goalline technology error it reads: “Really?” and “it wasn’t working”.
West Ham’s Declan Rice also wrote: “Wait… I thought this is what VAR was brought in for? Blatantly over the line, while Norwich goalkeeper Tim Krul simply posted the word “shambles”.