Replay ruled out after ‘goal’ fiasco

THE Football League have confirmed there is no prospect of the Coca-Cola Championship clash between Watford and Reading being replayed.

Linesman Nigel Bannister flagged for a goal instead of a corner after the ball crossed the goal-line wide of the goal, following a challenge involving John Eustace and Royals striker Noel Hunt.

Despite not a single Reading player appealing for the ‘goal’ 25-year-old referee Stuart Attwell gave Steve Coppell’s men a 1-0 lead.

The match eventually finished 2-2 and, after reviewing the evidence, the Professional Game Match Officials board have admitted that it was “an error of judgment.”

Royals manager Steve Coppell offered to replay the game if required but Andy Williamson, the League’s Chief Operating Officer, insisted Attwell’s decision must remain final.

He said: “The Laws of the Game give no discretion in these matters — the referee’s decision regarding whether a goal is scored or not is final and binding.

Coppell had earlier said : “If the authorities decide a replay is the correct thing to do then I’ve got no objections whatsoever.

“We don’t want to be seen to be taking advantage of anything.”

Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher believes Bannister should not be punished for the error and should instead be given counselling to come to terms with it.

Gallagher said: “It was a lack of concentration and a massive blip by the assistant.

“Whatever we say about it will not put it right, it’s just a massive mistake.

“What we need to do is counsel him. He’s been on the league for 10 years and a knee-jerk reaction of kicking him out will do him no good and do the game no good.”