English Premier League Referees to decide on Goalline Technology Error
Following the goalline technology error that took place in the game between Aston Villa and Sheffield United in the first Premier League game after lockdown, Premier League referees have decided to come and to review goalline technology. The error made by the goalline technology denied Sheffield United a goal in their draw at Aston Villa.
The Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) said the video assistant referee did not intervene because of the “unique” circumstances. The Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGOL) will now discuss how a similar incident in the future can be handled. Premier League referees will not want to be in such a situation again and so it is only proper for them to do a review on the technology.
The situation occurred in the 42nd minute of Wednesday’s 0-0 draw which was the first Premier League match after the lockdown which lasted for about 100 days because of the global pandemic coronavirus. A win in the game for Sheffield United would have moved them above Manchester United into fifth place it their victory was denied by the goalline technology error. It was gathered that referee Michael Oliver did not receive a signal to indicate a goal as it has been done before now.
Hawk-Eye – the operator of the goalline technology subsequently apologised but said the system “remained functional throughout”. The company added it was the first time such an error had occurred in more than 9,000 matches using the system. However, speaking to BBC Sport, Clattenburg, said it showed technology “can fail at any time”.
Clattenburg, who took charge of almost 300 Premier League games between 2004 and 2017, went on to apportion further blame for the failing to the video assistant referee system. “I automatically I expected the video assistant referee to come in,” he said. “He’s probably thought: ‘We have the technology in place. Why do we need to make a decision?’ and that is the fundamental flaw. Technology is there to help, it is not there to make the final decision.
Premier League referees have before now faced challenges with VAR before the league was suspended, it will not be right to be trying to fix VAR and the goalline technology in thesame league so it is wise they sit and plan on how to prevent future occurrence.
