QPR's 'goal that never was' re-opens goalline technology debate
Table of Contents
The debate over goal-line technology is raging again after Queens Park Rangers were denied a valid goal in the 2-1 Premier League defeat at Bolton Wanderers on Saturday.
In a game that could have a significant bearing on the battle for survival in the Premier League, QPR defender Clint Hill met Joey Barton's corner with a bullet header in the 20th minute.
Replays showed that Hill's effort clearly crossed the line before it was clawed out by Bolton goalkeeper Ádám Bogdán. And it wasn't close. It was a mile over the line, but somehow the officials missed it and the goal wasn't awarded.
And ref Martin Atkinson failed to award the goal and QPR's anger only increased when Darren Pratley gave Bolton the lead 18 minutes later.
Although Djibril Cissé equalised for the visitors just after half-time, Bolton eventually won the match thanks to Ivan Klasnić's late winner.
The FA came out after the game and called for goal-line technology to be introduced, but that served only to compound Mark Hughes' anger.
The QPR manager blasted: "Of course there should be goal-line technology, but the FA have come out with that to protect their officials. It's a joke.
"In fairness to Martin Atkinson, he is a good referee and he has been let down by his assistants. All you ask is that they get the key decisions right and do their job.
"To have that goal chalked off was a key moment for us, scoring first, away from home, and at the wrong end of the table.
"Who knows how costly that might be in the final reckoning?"
QPR captain Barton was quick to take to Twitter to voice his anger, writing: "Big decisions all wrong. Ref saying "don't blame us blame, the FA for not having goal line technology!" Sort of sums it all up! #baffled".
The Premier League are investigating whether it is feasible to bring in goal-line technology for next season ahead of a July decision by football's law-makers.
The International FA Board (IFAB) have approved goal-line technology in principle and will go ahead with final tests on two systems, one from British company HawkEye and GoalRef by a German-Danish firm.
A final decision will be taken in July and even though the new season kicks off only six weeks later, Premier League sources say they will look at whether it could be possible to have a system in place.
If the time available is too short for the Premier League, the first introduction would probably be FIFA's Club World Cup in Japan in December.
Related links:
Team
Also see:
 |
|
| QPR defender Clint Hill sees his header go a mile over the line against Bolton Photo: YouTube |
In a game that could have a significant bearing on the battle for survival in the Premier League, QPR defender Clint Hill met Joey Barton's corner with a bullet header in the 20th minute.
Replays showed that Hill's effort clearly crossed the line before it was clawed out by Bolton goalkeeper Ádám Bogdán. And it wasn't close. It was a mile over the line, but somehow the officials missed it and the goal wasn't awarded.
And ref Martin Atkinson failed to award the goal and QPR's anger only increased when Darren Pratley gave Bolton the lead 18 minutes later.
Although Djibril Cissé equalised for the visitors just after half-time, Bolton eventually won the match thanks to Ivan Klasnić's late winner.
The FA came out after the game and called for goal-line technology to be introduced, but that served only to compound Mark Hughes' anger.
The QPR manager blasted: "Of course there should be goal-line technology, but the FA have come out with that to protect their officials. It's a joke.
"In fairness to Martin Atkinson, he is a good referee and he has been let down by his assistants. All you ask is that they get the key decisions right and do their job.
"To have that goal chalked off was a key moment for us, scoring first, away from home, and at the wrong end of the table.
"Who knows how costly that might be in the final reckoning?"
QPR captain Barton was quick to take to Twitter to voice his anger, writing: "Big decisions all wrong. Ref saying "don't blame us blame, the FA for not having goal line technology!" Sort of sums it all up! #baffled".
The Premier League are investigating whether it is feasible to bring in goal-line technology for next season ahead of a July decision by football's law-makers.
The International FA Board (IFAB) have approved goal-line technology in principle and will go ahead with final tests on two systems, one from British company HawkEye and GoalRef by a German-Danish firm.
A final decision will be taken in July and even though the new season kicks off only six weeks later, Premier League sources say they will look at whether it could be possible to have a system in place.
If the time available is too short for the Premier League, the first introduction would probably be FIFA's Club World Cup in Japan in December.
Related links:
Team
Also see:
