Premier League - Liverpool shop sells out of beach balls

Eurosport - Sun, 18 Oct 09:17:00 2009

Mischievous fans of rival teams have flocked to Liverpool's official online store to buy the club out of beach balls.

2009-2010 SUnderland-Liverpool beach ball - 0

The Reds lost 1-0 to Sunderland on Saturday courtesy of a Darren Bent strike that deflected in off a large red ball that had been thrown into the penalty box by a Liverpool supporter.

Opposition fans revelling in Rafa Benitez's side's misery have bought all remaining 'beach sets' from the online shop, which consist of a towel, a bag and the now-infamous beach ball.

The sets had been reduced from £20 to £10 and have now sold out. They will be a must-have item for travelling supporters visiting Anfield in coming weeks.

Several web users have also left spoof reviews on the site.

'Natalie from Manchester' wrote: "I bought this set, but seem to have lost the ball in Sunderland. Is it possible to order a replacement?" while 'G from Johnon' commented: "This is one of the most flexible products I have ever purchased. Great for not only the beach, but can also play up front."

Liverpool fans are unlikely to see the funny side; the defeat was their fourth of the season, and leaves them seven points off the top of the Premier League.

Referee Mike Jones allowed the goal, although the laws state play should be stopped if any 'outside agent' interferes, and restarted with a drop ball.

Bent's shot bounced into the ball and deviated into the bottom-right corner past goalkeeper Jose Reina, who was so badly distracted he moved to save the beach ball.

Sky Sports News broadcast footage on Saturday of a young fan batting the ball into Reina's penalty box from the away end, but Match of the Day and the Sunday newspapers blocked out the fan's face fearing reprisals for his blunder.

Sunderland manager Steve Bruce said he did know the goal should not have stood, saying: "If anybody knew that rule - that it is supposed to be a drop ball - then you are a saddo."

However, former Premier League referee Jeff Winter said he was shocked Jones did not disallow the goal.

Winter said: "I'm absolutely amazed. It is basic law in football. The goal should just not have stood. The laws of the game state that if there's an outside interference the game has to be stopped."

Alex Chick / Eurosport

Comment 361 - 380 of 380

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  1. haha! lfc beware man city r coming with 40m FOR D RED­ BALL

    From Vince, on Tue 20 Oct 3:32PM

  2. Yes I guess all the mancs will be at Anfield on Sunday­ with their balls. At least theyve given our club some­ much needed cash. Thanks guys.

    From paul, on Mon 19 Oct 11:37PM

  3. you loss 1 you get 1!!

    From samuel b, on Mon 19 Oct 10:52PM

  4. haaaaa haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

    From SHERON, on Mon 19 Oct 9:13PM

  5. haaaaa haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

    From SHERON, on Mon 19 Oct 9:11PM

  6. thumbs up for beachball kid

    From Jason S, on Mon 19 Oct 7:23PM

  7. There is only one thing to do mass produce the ball in­ recyclable plastic and make some profit. YNWA

    From Xi/b, on Mon 19 Oct 6:24PM

  8. Apparently there were some rumors that since they­ couldn't get Torres, Man C is ready to trade the­ beach ball with Santa Cruz + Robinho + 20M - as the­ ball has better strike rate with 1 goal in 1 game and 1­ chance ..... its smart positioning and deadly link up­ with Bent has caught Sparky eyes....... even Capello­ considering a suprise call ala Walcott ... LOL

    From Dany, on Mon 19 Oct 5:52PM

  9. Does nobody else realise that Reina had enough time to­ kick the ball away ?
    It is partially his own fault for­ not doing this !

    From wee gordy bhoy, on Mon 19 Oct 5:45PM

  10. a person with a hoodie on was seen coming from old­ trafford yesterdy with a new xbox360 and a big cheezy­ grinhe ran round the corner and put on his chelsea­ baseBALL cap and went home to plymouth

    From dontpanicblink, on Mon 19 Oct 5:40PM

  11. the ball is now in the chelsea trophy room

    From dontpanicblink, on Mon 19 Oct 5:38PM

  12. The LFC beach volley ball presents everything but a­ serious threat to Liverpool - it would take away the­ few opportunities Liverpool have to make money selling­ half-decent merchandise...

    From Oxiuni, on Mon 19 Oct 4:21PM

  13. The Referee should have NOT allowed the goal! Stopped­ the game! Then in fairness to Sunderland he should have­ awared a penalty! Why hasn`t the Liverpool Fan been­ found and charged?

    From Easyrider2609, on Mon 19 Oct 4:18PM

  14. Liverpool fans must love this. All those stupid­ opposition fans buying Liverpool gear and thereby­ helping to finance Liverpool FC.

    Now't so queer­ as folk - as they used to say.

    From George, on Mon 19 Oct 4:08PM

  15. fairly obvious all along that rafa only had one ball

    From Jay, on Mon 19 Oct 3:28PM
  16. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    it should be replayed the ref should of stopped the­ game and he should of taken the red ball off the field

    From hannahprofit, on Mon 19 Oct 1:31PM

  17. Could David the "qualified referee" please­ point us to the exact law which governs the presence of­ inanimate objects on the field of play?

    Na, didn't­ think so :)

    From Desert G, on Mon 19 Oct 12:47PM

  18. Forget about the beach ball incident, how about benitez­ ... why is he still there at liverpool ha...he should­ be kicked at the back of the liverpool net long ago...I­ am surprised the owners of liverpool still pinning hope­ on him when all hope is lost.

    Ramarao Ramanaidu

    From Ramarao, on Mon 19 Oct 12:47PM

  19. Forget about the beach ball incident, how about benitez­ ... why is he still there at liverpool ha...he should­ be kicked at the back of the liverpool net long ago...I­ am surprised the owners of liverpool still pinning hope­ on him when all hope is lost.

    Ramarao Ramanaidu

    From Ramarao, on Mon 19 Oct 12:43PM

  20. It was a pitty the issue of beach ball sage went­ against Liverpool. However, what about the contrary; if­ the beach ball alleged to have been thrown by a­ liverpool fan had deflected "Darren Bent's­ strike off the net? This greatly confirms the law of­ Motion: "To every action there is equal and­ opposite reaction".
    As an Arsenal fan; My­ thoughts goes out to Liverpool fan. Sorry mates.

    From fjoseph225, on Mon 19 Oct 12:39PM
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