Premier League restarts with goal-line howler as players take knee
Aston Villa’s English striker Keinan Davis (C) takes a knee beside other players during the English Premier League football match between Aston Villa and Sheffield United at Villa Park in Birmingham, central England on June 17, 2020. – The Premier League makes its eagerly anticipated return today after 100 days in lockdown but behind closed doors due to coronavirus restrictions. (Photo by Shaun Botterill / POOL / AFP)
The Premier League restart was engulfed in controversy on Wednesday when goal-line technology made an unprecedented blunder after players took the knee to protest against racism at both matches.
The English top-flight was put on hold in March due to the coronavirus pandemic and all 92 remaining games are being crammed into a six-week period.
The first match, between Aston Villa and Sheffield United, finished goalless and Manchester City won the later game against 10-man Arsenal 3-0.
The big talking point at Villa Park came late in the first half when Villa goalkeeper Orjan Nyland appeared to carry Oliver Norwood’s free-kick over the line.
Referee Michael Oliver’s watch failed to signal the goal and the game continued.
“I don’t know whether to laugh or cry,” said Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder.
“Already the jokes have started…. It’s all going to come out but we’re pretty disappointed and we’ve got to get on with it.”
After the match, Hawk-Eye Innovations, which runs the technology, apologised “unreservedly” over the incident.
“The seven cameras located in the stands around the goal area were significantly occluded by the goalkeeper, defender and goalpost,” the company said in a statement.
“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”
A point apiece from the goalless draw behind closed doors did not suit either side.
Aston Villa were seeking a precious win to lift them out of the relegation zone while Sheffield United are chasing a European spot next season.
Racism protest
Before kick-off, in front of a huge global audience, players and staff protested racial injustice for about 10 seconds in solidarity with worldwide demonstrations following the death of American George Floyd.
“In the first Premier League fixture of Project Restart both clubs hope that the act of ‘taking a knee’ will send a strong message of unity,” the clubs said in a joint statement.
Manchester City and Arsenal players mirrored the protest before kick-off at the Etihad.
All players will wear the words “Black Lives Matter” (BLM) on the back of their shirts where names are normally printed for the first 12 matches of the restart.
“We should send one thousand million messages for black people,” City manager Pep Guardiola said.
“I’m embarrassed, I’m ashamed for what the white people have done for the black people.
Source: AFP
