LONDON - The linesman who gave a goal instead of a corner for Reading during their Championship match at Watford is to receive “operational advice”.
Reading took the lead in farcical circumstances at Vicarage Road when Stephen Hunt whipped in a 13th minute corner.
The ball bounced over the touchline, four yards wide of the near post, before being hooked back into play by Noel Hunt.
Andre Bikey headed back toward goal but linesman Nigel Bannister had already flagged for an own goal by Eustace.
Despite no Reading player appealing for the ‘goal’, referee Stuart Attwell, at 25 the youngest whistle-blower on the Premier League list, let it stand.
Hosts Watford eventually rallied to claim a 2-2 draw on Saturday but the assistant referees’ manager for Professional Game Match Officials, Paul Rejer, said Bannister would be given some “operational advice”, a move that appeared to absolve Attwell of responsibility.
“It appears an error has been made and it will be reviewed by us,” Rejer told Watford’s official website.
“Nobody likes making errors and if it is a serious error, which we have got to review, then obviously he’ll regret it.
“The assistant referee gave what he saw and if it is incorrect then we will look at that and give him operational advice.
“From his position and angle it appeared the ball had crossed the line for a goal. He has made a human error.
“When the ball is bobbling about in the penalty area it is difficult to know that the ball has crossed the line.
“Performances by referees and assistant referees are reviewed every game, both on the day and by DVD.”
Watford manager Adrian Boothroyd, who admitted he had had repeated contact with PGMO general manager Dave Allison over a number of decisions, said: “I get an assessment form to fill in after every game and I will fill it in extra carefully this week.
“If it has been a major decision in the past then I have got a call on the Monday from Dave Allison and I have a good relationship with him. But I seem to be talking to him more than anyone at the minute.
“But these things supposedly even themselves out. So by the time I get to Fergie’s [Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson’s] age you won’t believe how much luck I will be getting.”
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