Video: Linesman makes controversial call
Another controversial incident happened in the Premier League Saturday which shows yet again why video technology is needed in this sport. Late in the first half between Chelsea and Tottenham at Stamford Bridge, with Spurs leading 1-0 after a Sandro goal earlier in the game, Frank Lampard struck a shot from long range which bobbled under Heurelho Gomes’s legs. The goalkeeper had to reach back to stop the ball from crossing the line. But controversially, the assistant referee indicated to referee Andre Marriner that the ball had crossed the line. And a goal was awarded to the Blues to tie the game up at 1-1.
However, the TV replays showed — from several angles — that the ball did not completely cross the line, so the goal should not have been allowed. Gomes shouldn’t have made the mistake in the first place, but Tottenham were on the wrong end of a poor decision by the assistant referee and referee.
The mistake by the officials will again trigger people saying that video technology should be incorporated into the game to allow officials to have the same video available to them that TV viewers around the world see. As it is now, the referees are at an unfair disadvantage where they can only go on what referees see. And we all know that humans make mistakes.
