Championship - Boothroyd stunned by 'phantom' goal

Eurosport - Sat, 20 Sep 22:50:00 2008

Watford manager Adrian Boothroyd said he had "never seen anything like it" after seeing his side go behind to a non-goal in the 2-2 Championship draw with Reading.

FOOTBALL Watford Aidy Boothroyd - 0

Reading went ahead on 13 minutes when linesman Nigel Bannister incorrectly flagged for a goal instead of a corner after the ball went out of play several yards wide of the goal after John Eustace and Royals striker Noel Hunt tussled for the ball.

Referee Stuart Attwell, 25, awarded the goal, with players and supporters at Vicarage Road initially stunned.

"I've never seen anything like it," Boothroyd said. "It's like a UFO landing, a mistake like that.

"I've been to see the referee and in fairness he's only going on what the linesman says. He's working in a team and if someone comes in his ear telling him it's a goal then I suppose he's got to give it.

"I thought it was a goal-kick. What do you say to that? It was a strange sort of feeling because I was trying to calm my team down and get them going but all I could think was 'what was that for?"'

Boothroyd laid no blame at the feet of the Reading players for not allowing Watford to score from the kick-off to nullify the 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?

"But these things supposedly even themselves out. So by the time I get to Fergie's age you won't believe how much luck I will be getting."

Even Reading boss Steve Coppell came out afterwards to ask for video evidence to be used in goal-line decisions.

He said: "The game is crying out for video evidence and it has been for a long time.

"It's obvious. Rugby League puts us to shame with how referees can call for replays," Coppell said.

"I was in the stand at the time and I haven't seen it since. But when the whistle went I wondered what it was for as I couldn't see a foul.

"Everyone trooped back to the centre and then it became obvious that the referee had given the goal.

"But let's get this clear. 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.

"It's like cricket, do you walk or not if you've nicked one behind? As a renowned opening batsman, I used to walk but it's a hypothetical question.

"If the referee had come and told me at half-time that they'd cocked it up I don't know whether I would have let them score."

Reda Maher / SportingLife / Eurosport

Comment 1 - 7 of 7

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  1. I reckon the home team manager should ref the first half and the away team manager should ref the second half :)

    From jellybomb1980, on Mon 22 Sep 2:42PM

  2. its funny how if you go on youtube and try and view the goal the football league has claiemd copyright on all footage meaning you cant view it

    From james, on Mon 22 Sep 12:48PM

  3. i remember plymouth scord a dodgy goal or something like that and when the team had the ball they just let them score as it was fair am i right about this , i know plymouth was fair in what they did ????? its called sportsman ,and reading could have done the same

    From Chris, on Mon 22 Sep 4:42AM

  4. how on earth can a basic blatant mistake happen in the so called modern game , managers challenges should be introduced and if un successfull the team should be awarded a free kick in their opponents area with a limit of ONE MANAGERS CHALLENGE PER HALF . if not after the game video evidence is produced that led to a game winning mistake by the ref then the match should be replayed at the same venue . in this sundays papers i read of several refs mistakes .enough is enough if the game wants to charge us fans then at least award us with an even playing field

    From dbpryde, on Sun 21 Sep 9:40PM

  5. The referee tried to right his wrong by giving decisions towards Watford when they should have gone to Reading. This referee should be suspended.

    From Biggles, on Sun 21 Sep 6:21PM

  6. Sounds like referees should all be issued with glasses. Of course it is not going to happen for a team to give up an advantage like this, these guys play for money!Bring on video refereeing by all means maybe it will show up some of the more theatrical dives, and fouls. We could have an annual prize giving for the most exciting.We could call it "The Diego's"

    From Michael, on Sun 21 Sep 10:54AM

  7. i was at the game and it was a shocking decision, ive never seen anything like it. the refereeing situation in this country needs to be overhauled big time

    From Jimmy Finn, on Sun 21 Sep 2:49AM
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