The Arsenal goalkeeper dropped Kostas Fortounis's corner just over the goal-line, costing Arsenal a shock defeat to the Greek side that has made progression from their Champions League group stage difficult. Danny Makkelie - an official from Holland - who was stood next to the upright, furiously waved his arms to indicate to the referee that it was a goal. But his actions were in breach of UEFA rules. The AARs were supposed to communicate only via a microphone and were not allowed to make any signals with their hands at all. But as of last week, due to Makkelie's gesticulations, those officials - often criticised for appearing to do absolutely nothing - are now able to signal that the ball has crossed the line.
UEFA's referee chief Pierluigi Collina spotted the rogue pioneer's actions and, though suggesting he “went too far” at the time, decided to change the rule, which came into effect last week. Collina contacted the International Football Association Board, who implements rule changes, and it has been brought into effect starting with the Euro 2016 qualifiers over the weekend. “According to the Laws of the Game he did too much, but today he becomes the good one. He went a bit too far, but for me positively”, said Collina, speaking at Leaders in Sports. “He was not punished but used as an example and we have to learn from the positive situations. The arm of the official points to the centre circle and it is clear for everybody that he made the decision”. Collina has acted because he felt supporters, players and managers were not aware that the goal-line officials were actually communicating to the referee when it was unclear if a ball had crossed the line. “If he was simply shouting in the microphone nobody would have understood that he made the decision”, Collina added. “The Laws of the Game said that the assistant referee cannot make hand signals and we managed to change something. We are very pleased the decision was understood by IFAB and from this week's qualifiers assistants are allowed to make a signal when there are doubtful situations”.
Source: Daily Mail
