Premier League: Goal-line technology failure affects Sheffield United

The English Premier League is back in action on Wednesday, but an unprecedented problem with goal-line technology rocked the clash between Aston Villa and Sheffield United.

Newcomers Sheffield United came back against a relegation-fighting Villa outfit, but barely 40 minutes into the game, an unprecedented goal-line technological failure stunned fans.

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Oliver Norwood’s free-kick late in the first half looked to have been cleared well over the line by home keeper Orjan Nyland under pressure from Keinan Davis.

But referee Michael Oliver’s goal-line technology clock didn’t signal a goal and the video assistant referee didn’t overrule what looked like a clear foul.

Despite not being disallowed, replays showed the ball had clearly crossed the line and should have been awarded,

In a statement on Twitter, Hawk-Eye Innovations said the match referees did not receive a signal on their watches or headsets and that the seven cameras in the stadium “were significantly blocked by the goalkeeper, defender and post”.

“This level of occlusion has never been seen in 9,000 matches where the Hawk-Eye Goal Line Technology system has been in operation,” the statement added.

“Hawk-Eye apologizes unreservedly to the Premier League, Sheffield United and everyone affected by this incident.”

Fans were stunned that the goal was not awarded after watching replays.

Free kicker Norwood could not understand why the video assistant referee did not award the goal.

“What is VAR for? They can certainly look at it and say it’s a goal, it’s like someone is afraid to make a decision,” he said in a post-match interview.

The apology did not reassure Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder.

“My problem is obviously one of frustration,” he said.

“Seven cameras did not catch it – the most technical league in the world – everything we see from every angle and did not see a goal. It is disappointing from our point of view.

“The statement is out and it’s unprecedented, unbelievable.”

Villa remain in second place, one point and two places from safety, while the visitors are one point behind fifth-placed Manchester United.

Man City sweep Arsenal aside

Manchester City beat Arsenal 3-0 on Wednesday as the Premier League returned to action after a 100-day layoff due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Raheem Sterling put City ahead, Kevin de Bruyne scored the second with a penalty and Phil Foden added a third in stoppage time.

David Luiz, who was at fault for the first goal, was sent off for conceding the penalty.

City’s win closed the gap on runaway leaders Liverpool to 22 points, meaning Juergen Klopp’s side need two wins to secure their first title since 1990.

Arsenal’s night started poorly with injuries to Grant Xhaka and Pablo Mari and got worse when Luiz, who replaced Mari, mis-controlled a De Bruyne cross, allowing Sterling to smash home the opening goal in the first half.

And Luiz made matters worse early in the second half when he hauled down Riyad Mahrez to give away a penalty and receive a red card.

De Bruyne sent Arsenal goalkeeper Bernd Leno the wrong way to double City’s lead and Foden added the third after Sergio Aguero’s shot was turned onto the bar by Leno.

The only downside for City was the injury to Eric Garcia, who was carried off on a stretcher after colliding with Ederson.

City and Arsenal had started the match in the same fashion as Villa and Sheffield United, with all players, management and officials “kneeling” in recognition of the Black Lives Matter movement.

All the players had Black Lives Matter on the back of their jerseys.

With AAP