Linesman’s view ‘blocked by Gallas’

Paul Walker

The 22-year-old Czech Republic stopper was left helpless after compatriot Milan Baros clipped the ball into space and Luis Garcia poked the ball towards goal.

Television replays could not prove if the ball crossed the line before it was hooked to safety, but Cech believes the position of the assistant referee made it impossible to tell whether a goal should have been awarded.

“The linesman was standing in such a position that he simply could not see the ball as Gallas blocked it with his body,” Cech told Czech reporters after the game.

“I was surprised the referees decided the goal was scored, when they could not see it. I asked him (the assistant referee) how he could be so sure that it was a goal,”

Chelsea could not get the vital away goal needed to reach the final in Istanbul later this month, although Cech did not want to dwell on Liverpool’s controversial winner.

“There is nothing to add to this. No protest will return us back to the competition,” he added.

Cech believes Luis Garcia’s goal proves technology should be introduced for key decisions, adding: “It is at least something to think about. Soccer is the only sport where the referee has no chance to verify his verdict.

“Everybody is opposing the video, but it a video consultation would not take as long as two minutes. During one goal kick more time is wasted.”

Cech does not believe Liverpool would have received a penalty because of his challenge on Baros, regardless of whether Luis Garcia’s shot crossed the line. Cech added: “I just occupied the space. Milan hit the ball and then he jumped into me. In my opinion it could not be a penalty.”

However, The Slovak linesman behind the decision to award Luis Garcia’s controversial goal, Roman Slysko has defended his actions.

Slysko, the assistant referee at Anfield on Tuesday night said he was 100% sure that the ball had crossed the line when Luis Garcia tapped it towards goal after Chelsea keeper Petr Cech had bundled into Milan Baros.

Slysko said: “It was a very hard situation and under those circumstances you only have a few hundredths of a second to react. I believe that my decision was correct. My first feeling, which I remain convinced of, is that it was a goal. I am 100% convinced that it was a goal.

“From my information as well I understand that TV replays have also not been able to prove that it was not a goal. I saw it clearly. In my view I was adequately positioned for that situation. There was also an incident just before that involving Petr Cech and Milan Baros which could have resulted in a penalty and a red card.

“This was my biggest match to date. It was a truly fantastic atmosphere and a wonderful game. It was one of those games that you only get in England.”

He added even though some people could say a goal in such an important match should be proved beyond doubt “there will always be those kind of situations in football matches everywhere.”

Slysko also said that he was not afraid that his decision would lead to any threats from Chelsea fans. Top referee Anders Frisk quit football after receiving death threats following Chelsea’s Champions League clash with Barcelona a few months ago.

But Slysko said: “A person cannot go into a game thinking about stuff like that. If they did they would not be able to do their job.”