The goal that wasn't..............

[DB11]

Following the Royals' controversial opening goal at Watford, Paul Rejer of the Professional Game Match Officials board has given his views on the incident.

Rejer, who was at Vicarage Road, confirmed that the goal had been given by assistant referee Mr Bannister and said, "It appears that an error has been made and it will be reviewed, in the same way that the performance of the referee and assistant referee is reviewed after every game.

"From his position and angle, it appeared to the assistant referee that the ball had crossed the line for a goal.

"When the ball is bobbling about, it is difficult for the referee to know the particular moment that the assistant referee is indicating the ball has crossed the line.

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"There's no way for the referee to know for definite, so he's relying on the assistant referee to make the decision. This assistant referee has been very consistent for many years but it appears he's made a human error.

"He gave what he saw and if that was incorrect we will give operational advice. Any action taken is an internal matter for the PGMO."

[Tilley]

Look forward to seeing this on The Championship.

[Jay]

Just reading it I don't understand - I'm going to have to see this one. But one thing does strike me - 11 Reading players, a manager and 5 substitutes must all have went along with what was happening - which disapoints me a little. Sport gets it's name from being a sporting contest - the need to win at all costs in football detracts from the spirit of the game. (much like after an injury kicking the ball back to the opposition but in a poor position - just give it back or not at all!)

I have to say I tend to agree with this obviously I haven't seen the full replay but it seems like the ball didn't even go near the goal mouth or even the side netting and for Reading players to celebrate something so wrong leaves a bad taste in my mouth and to see Steve Coppell on sky sports saying what better example to show the need for video replays to clear this up in seconds winds me up a little, all it needed was his captain or himself to step in sort it out yet they were happy to carry on

it's a fine line between a lucky break and full on cheating and on this occasion I feel some blame should also go to every single Reading player and staff member for not have the balls to be honest on something so unusual yet obvious

[Fez of Mahrez]

If this happened to us I think I'd probably end up in a police cell for the night.

[kyleolly]

just seen it on the championship absolutely ridiculous

[Tilley]

Just saw it,

It was an awful decision.

[Matt]

I have to say I tend to agree with this obviously I haven't seen the full replay but it seems like the ball didn't even go near the goal mouth or even the side netting and for Reading players to celebrate something so wrong leaves a bad taste in my mouth and to see Steve Coppell on sky sports saying what better example to show the need for video replays to clear this up in seconds winds me up a little, all it needed was his captain or himself to step in sort it out yet they were happy to carry on

it's a fine line between a lucky break and full on cheating and on this occasion I feel some blame should also go to every single Reading player and staff member for not have the balls to be honest on something so unusual yet obvious

TBF though if only the referee and his assistant had used common sense to see the fans, the players were not celebrating?

Not so sure he said anything but when Watford were protesting to the assistant, Steve Hunt did go over.

And to be fair i've seen fouls been given and the supposed 'victim' of the foul has said the 'offender' has done nothing wrong yet a freekick and card has been given before.

[Corky]

What an absolute farce.

[Webbo]

[Matt]

It was the assistant who raised the concern, but the referee himself is as much to blame. On about 11 seconds in that video, from that position how can the referee not clearly see the ball has gone wide, therefore not overrule his assistant.

It's just funny that the Watford keeper put the ball down as he would a goal kick then it all kicks off. Pathetic, Pathetic refereeing.

I fooking hate referee's, and this doesn't even effect us.

[Maybes]

OH MY GOD!

That is simply ridiculous. The linesman should never officiate again

[DJ Barry Hammond]

Oh dear - after watching it - that's a very poor decision. And as people have said, the ref had a decent position surely, and even if he couldn't see just go by the reaction of the players and things around you to realise that you're making a complete tit of yourself referee! Why didn't the over linesman or even forth official go over and say - look mate, i don't know whats going on but your wrong.

And one more thing that has to be asked to the linesman guilty of flagging - if the ball has gone in, why is the reading player trying so hard to stop it going in!?! YOU'RE A FOOL MAN!

[dandannieldanok]

Blimey it was worse than I first thought. I never realised the linesman was even on the correct side of the pitch so that the goal wasn't even obstructing his view. Add to that the fact that a Reading player was desperately trying to stop the ball from crossing the line it is the worst decision I've ever seen.

[Tevez]

What the fook?!?!

[Alexikokopops]

Blimey it was worse than I first thought. I never realised the linesman was even on the correct side of the pitch so that the goal wasn't even obstructing his view. to that the fact that a Reading player was desperately trying to stop the ball from crossing the line it is the worst decision I've ever seen.

Exactly. Did the linesman think that the Reading player was trying to prevent a goal? No excuse whatsoever.

[Tommy G]

Reading boss Steve Coppell says he would not object to replaying Saturday's 2-2 draw with Watford.

The Royals went ahead when the assistant referee mistakenly awarded a goal instead of a corner after the ball had gone four yards wide of the goal.

"I've seen it and my conclusion is obviously that it wasn't right," Coppell told the club's website.

"If the authorities decide a replay is the correct thing to do then I've got no objections whatsoever."

The 'goal' was registered as an own goal by Watford's John Eustace.

He thought his side had been given a goal-kick after a corner had hit him and gone out of play before being hooked back in by Reading's Noel Hunt.

The linesman has decided it's a goal. I've asked him about it and he said it was an optical illusion

Watford boss Aidy Boothroyd

Assistant referee Nigel Bannister advised referee Stuart Atwell to give the goal, to the horror of the Watford players.

"I'm not sure there's a precedent but if that's what people decide then I am quite happy to do it," added Coppell.

"We don't want to be seen to be taking advantage of anything.

"I have sympathy with Watford and I really don't know what to say to make it right.

"But if the Football League phone me now and say something was definitely wrong I'm happy to go along with it."

Professional Game Match Officials Board (PGMOB) assistant referees' manager Paul Rejer told Watford's website: "It appears a mistake has been made.

"It will be reviewed by us. If it is a serious error, he will regret it.

606: DEBATE

Had to send a letter to the FA after the worst decision in football history. Reading players all knew this was a farce even the manager knew it and did nothing!

Tom_Fullery

"It was the assistant referee who gave the goal and from his position and angle it appeared the ball had crossed the line for a goal. He has made a human error.

"The referee has no way of knowing for definite; he was relying on his assistant referee to make that decision.

"Performances by referees and assistant referees are reviewed after every game, both on the day and by DVD."

Former Premier League referee Graham Poll said the decision was inexplicable and had sympathy for the Watford players and manager, Aidy Boothroyd, who was sent to the stands after remonstrating with the officials.

Poll told BBC Radio 5 Live: "This is the most bizarre situation I've ever seen in 40 years watching football and 27 years refereeing.

"I heard about it then watched the highlights thinking 'it can't be how it's described', but it is. He (Bannister) has got a clear view of it. It's completely inexplicable.

"The referee must be respected, obviously, but in such circumstances, as a player, how do you not lose your temper?"

After the match, Boothroyd told BBC London 94.9: "I went to see the referee and in fairness to him, although he wasn't brilliant today, you can't blame him if there's a guy in his ear telling him it's a goal.

"The linesman has decided it's a goal. I've asked him about it and he said it was an optical illusion.

"I saw the ball go out for a goal-kick and my centre-half has put his hand up and asked for the goal-kick and for some strange reason a goal has been given."

Boothroyd rejected the idea that the Reading players should have allowed let Watford score after such an error.

"I don't expect players to take things into their own hands. It's not up to them," he added.

"If someone stops you in a car park and gives you a present you don't say no do you?"

Watford's players confront the officials after the controversial goal

Coppell also played down the emphasis on the players to take action.

"The responsibility is not with the opposition to right a wrong. It is up to the officials to get it as right as they can," said Coppell.

Reading winger Stephen Hunt was bemused by the decision but tried to alleviate the blame from referee Atwell.

Hunt said: "It was a screamer! No, it was probably the worst decision I have ever witnessed.

"We can't do anything about it. It's not our mistake, but what can you do? You can't say 'no ref, it wasn't in'.

"He seemed all right. He's a young referee. But after this he'll probably be sitting at home next week.

"I've had him before and he's been all right. It was just a bad day at the office. He talks, he respects you and you respect him.

"I can understand Watford's frustration, but everyone makes mistakes."

[dandannieldanok]

They should have just let Watford score straight away from kick-off, then get on with the game. And before anyone says, I would hope that Leicester would give a goal straight back if we were ever to benefit from something like this (ala Forest Carling Cup).

[Brainy]

Good to see the two managers have kept calm and haven't launched any kind of scathing attack on the referee.

Take note Ferguson.

[Matt]

Good to see the two managers have kept calm and haven't launched any kind of scathing attack on the referee.

Take note Ferguson.

Although he (Let's be fair - They) deserves it...

[Ultra]

Mr Bannister, take a bow.

You have single-handedly destroyed ANY credibility the "Respect" campaign ever had.

It's quite obvious that you have no respect for the laws of the game, and even less for the fans who pay hard-earned cash and spend many hours of their time watching games in the belief that those laws will be properly enforced.

Most bad decisions on phantom "goals", "fouls" can usually be excused as being marginal one way or the other. This one can't - it wasn't even close.

The fact that over 48 hours have passed and you haven't even seen fit to offer a public apology for your mistake, preferring instead to hide behind the weasel words of your "association", shows that not only are you a disgrace to your so-called profession, but also a pretty p!sspoor human being, of a type not usually seen outside the Newcastle boardroom.

I hear you're being offered some "counselling" and "operational advice" by your colleagues. Wells here's some operational advice from me - RESIGN - and then spend the next eight months praying that the two points you cost Watford don't make any difference to the outcome of their season.

You're incredibly lucky the fans there are a forgiving bunch. Others wouldn't have been in the same circumstances.

I don't know what drugs you may have been on, or whether you were under instruction from a syndicate to make sure Reading scored first.

But I do know that the league and FA should NEVER allow you within ten miles of a stadium.

You're a pox on the game that can no longer be allowed to infest it any further.

[Matt]

Just got back from my physio. He treats the referee of this match (Stuart Attwell) didn't realise he was from Nuneaton.

Apparently my Physio text him yesterday and Attwell says the assistant in this match has accepted full responsibility, Attwell will face no punishment apparently.

[Corky]

Just got back from my physio. He treats the referee of this match (Stuart Attwell) didn't realise he was from Nuneaton.

Apparently my Physio text him yesterday and Attwell says the assistant in this match has accepted full responsibility, Attwell will face no punishment apparently.

Oh what a surprise