Hawk-Eye have apologised after goal-line technology failed to award Sheffield United a goal during their clash with Aston Villa as the Premier League resumed with huge controversy. Orjan Nyland back peddled after catching Oliver Norwood’s floating free-kick, with replays clearly showing the ball had crossed the line. The Sheffield United players immediately protested, but referee Michael Oliver’s watch did not react and play continued. VAR still could have intervened and spared the technology’s blushes but no review was ordered. And the situation was made even more extraordinary when reports surfaced that Oliver’s watch had gone off – during half-time.
The technology failed for the first time since it was introduced in the Premier League in 2013. A statement from Hawk-eye Innovations, who run the technology, after the match read: “During the first half of Aston Villa v Sheffield United match at Villa Park, there was a goal line incident where the ball was carried over the line by Aston Villa goalkeeper, No. 25 Nyland. The match officials did not receive a signal to the watch nor earpiece as per the Goal Decision System (GDS) protocol. The seven cameras located in the stands around the goal area were significantly occluded by the goalkeeper, defender, and goalpost. This level of occlusion has never been seen before in over 9,000 matches that the Hawk-Eye Goal Line Technology system has been in operation. The system was tested and proved functional prior to the start of the match in accordance with the IFAB Laws of The Game and confirmed as working by the match officials. The system has remained functional throughout. Hawk-Eye unreservedly apologises to the Premier League, Sheffield United, and everyone affected by this incident.”
Source: Football365
