The failure of Hawk-Eye goal-line technology this evening could be very costly to West Ham at the end of the season.
The technical blunder allowed Aston Villa to earn a valuable point and that point could make all the difference between relegation or survival to one team at the end of this season.
Sixteen to eighteenth places in the Premier League are only separated on goal difference with Villa just one point behind in nineteenth place on 26 points.
Hawk-Eye has issued an unreserved apology to Sheffield United and explained why the goal was not given.
A statement on Twitter read: “The seven cameras located in the stands around the goal 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.”
West Ham players themselves were quick to ask questions on social media.
Declan Rice said “Wait… i thought this is what VAR was brought in for ?!? Blatantly over the line????”
While Aaron Cresswell asked “What’s going on here???? VAR? Goal line technology? 🥴🤷🏻♂️”
Could well happen on the strength of technology. .but Sheffield United know how we all felt after our “goal” was chalked off at there place earlier in the season..what goes around comes around! !
Football showing itself to be a joke yet again. Dont forget it all restarted due to integrity. ! That’s that story gone then.
So what is a referee for then ? Surely He should be able to override an obvious decision like this.Not only will that affect us on goal difference,if it came to that with Villa, but it could hinder Sheffield United’s chance of qualifying for Europe.Then again,some decisions have also gone against us too this season.
These kinds of mistakes are what VAR is supposed to stop. Either the ref should have called for the video review or the VAR official should have buzzed down to the ref to let him know a review was in order. These are the rules associated with VAR as confirmed by the PL so there is NO excuse for having allowed this mistake to stand. I support the use of VAR but it must be used correctly by officials that know how to do their job. The ref abrogated responsibility by not using all means at his disposal to determine the correct call.
My biggest concern is the complete lack of intervention of VAR at Stockley Park ! What on earth are they there for if not for that ? It was a clear and obvious error and should have been acted upon, all the more baffling when we have all seen the forensic way VAR intervenes, with offside decisions sometimes taking several minutes . I think the people making these remote decisions which affect the outcome of matches need to be more publicly accountable for their actions or in this case lack of them.
We dont need technical failures
Be positive if you a hammer fan we want 10th place like I said at the start of the season .
Haller is on fire I put 20 pounds on him to score the first goal against wolves .
Consistency is more important than accuracy. The inconsistent use of VAR has rendered it useless.