Goal Line Gaffes XI

With the news that Goal Line Technology might finally be used in the Premier League for the 2012/13 season, certain refereeing clangers might just become a thing of the past.

I’ve been studying the history books to find examples of where the use of goal-line technology would’ve perhaps meant a different decision would’ve been made by the referees. I present to you the players who benefitted, and those who suffered horribly due to the lack of the technology – it’s the (outrageously attacking) Goal Line Gaffes XI.

Goalkeeper

Roy Carroll
2005 – Man Utd 0-0 Tottenham Hotspur

This refereeing and goalkeeping blunder is pretty much the only reason why people remember Roy Carroll’s existence in the Premier League. In a moment still understandably painful for Spurs fans, they watched in disbelief as a Pedro Mendes’ 50 yard shot was dropped over the line by Utd’s calamitous ‘keeper, before he quickly scooped the ball back onto the pitch for play to continue. With only a few minutes to be played, Spurs would’ve surely picked up a rare victory at Old Trafford, but it wasn’t to be as the linesman was unable to clearly see the ball go over the line.

Centre Back

A Ball Boy
2006 – Santacruzense 1-1 Atletico Sorocaba

In the dying minutes of a Brazil FPF Cup match, after a Santacruzense player shot wide, a ball boy cheekily walked onto the pitch and kicked the ball into the goal. When the referee turned around to see the goalkeeper picking the ball out of his own net, she spoke to her linesman and promptly awarded a goal. Bizarre.

Right Midfield

Cristiano Ronaldo
2006 – Portugal 3-0 Azerbaijan

An awesome bicycle-kick goal from Cristiano Ronaldo was ignored by the referee during a Euro 2008 qualifier against Azerbaijan, thankfully for Ronaldo’s sanity, the result wasn’t affected as Portugal went on to win 3-0.

Left Midfield

Luis Garcia
2005 – Liverpool Vs. Chelsea

During the 4th minute of the second leg, Luis Garcia scored the only goal in the Champions League Semi Final tie between Liverpool and Chelsea, which saw the scousers reach and win their first European Cup in 20 years. Garcia’s tap in, which William Gallas attempted to clear of the line, was given – however Chelsea’s manager Jose Mourinho later claimed it hadn’t gone in and TV replays were inclusive. Had Goal Line Technology been in use, maybe Chelsea fans would’ve witnessed their first ever European Cup triumph.

Centre Midfield

Frank Lampard
2010 – England 1-4 Germany
2011 – Chelsea 2-1 Tottenham

Frank Lampard has been on both sides of luck when it comes to dubious goals. Firstly, his shot against Germany to equalise at 2-2 in the World Cup last 16 clearly went over the line, visible to millions of fans across the world, yet not to the referee or his linesman as they waved away England protests. This incident proved to be the catalyst for FIFA’s dictatorial President Sepp Blatter to change his mind on Goal Line Technology. However, it’s all too late for England fans who saw Germany go on to thrash England 4-1 – an equaliser could’ve completely changed the game.

Then, the following season, Lampard’s shot was fumbled by Spurs ‘keeper Heurelho Gomes before the Dutch keeper stopped the ball right on the line. This time, the referee gave a goal, but yet again it was the wrong decision, and Chelsea sneaked a 2-1 win.

Centre Midfield

Patrick Vieira
2006 – France 1-1 South Korea

France were denied their first win in a World Cup since 1998 by a dodgy refereeing decision when Korean ‘keeper Lee Woon-Jae stopped Patrick Viera’s header after it had gone over the line. With France leading 1-0 in their second group game, officials weren’t able to give the goal, and South Korea managed to equalize later in the game. Thankfully for French fans, France were still able to qualify, but another Korean goal and they would’ve knocked the French team out of the competition and on to a plane back to Paris.

Centre Midfield

John Eustace
2008- Watford 2-2 Reading

In one of the strangest incidents on a football pitch, a linesman awarded Reading a goal after seeing the ball come off Watford midfielder John Eustace and cross the goal-line. Unfortunately for the linesman, the ball hadn’t gone into the goal, but wide of the goal for what should’ve been a corner. Watford manager Aidy Boothroyd was sent to the stands for complaining, although the Hornets were able to salvage a 2-2 draw.

Centre Midfield

Pablo Gabas
2011 – Limon FC 1-0 Liga Deportiva Alajuelense

From Watford to Central America, a referee was lambasted for missing a blatant equaliser for Costa Rican side Alajeulense when the ball bounced off the bottom of the net and into the goalkeeper’s arms. With the linesman also missing the ball fly into (and out of) the net, play continued and Limon held on to win 1-0.

Centre Forward

Paddy Connolly
1993 – Dundee Utd 4-0 Partick Thistle

When Paddy Connolly knocked the ball into the back of the net for Dundee Utd, he turned around to celebrate with his teammates. With the players all seeing the goal, Connolly and his Dundee teammates ran back into their own half, and Thistle defender Martin Clark caught the ball which had rebound out of the goal and gave it back to the ‘keeper Andy Murdoch. Somehow, referee Les Mottram and his assistants missed all of this and let play carry on. Even more astounding was that Mottram was chosen to referee at the following year’s World Cup – Imagine what the other Scottish refs were like!

(See the bizarre incident at 1:10)

Centre Forward

Freddie Sears
2009 – Bristol City 1-0 Crystal Palace

Sears thought he had scored his first goal for the Eagles in a match against Bristol City in 2009. However the ball bounced straight out of the goal and once again, the officials all missed it. Some Palace fans will remember the same thing happening to them when Clive Allen’s free kick in 1980 went in and bounced straight out, they’ll surely be hoping technology comes sooner rather than later…

Centre Forward

Geoff Hurst
1966 – England 4-2 Germany

Last, yet certainly not least, it’s the original dubious goal. When Geoff Hurst struck to make it 3-2 in extra time for England, the world looked to Russian linesman Tofik Bahramov to make a decision. Thankfully for English fans, he made the incorrect decision and awarded the goal. 20 minutes later, England were World Champions.

(Translated by Oliver Jay)

About the author

Pepe Bluefields has written 31 articles for Soccer On The Brain

Pepe is Bluefields.com's very own Footballing genius. Hailing from Madrid, he has spent his life practicing football skills and reading up on all the best players in world football. In 2010, he dribbled across Europe and landed in England, where he created Bluefields.com. In his weekly blog, he'll be selecting players to make a team that fits the weekly theme.