Lampard, Hurst, Mendes, Taggart and more terrible goal-line decisions
Goal-line technology could be introduced to the Premier League for the 2012/13 season, according to the Football Association. "Goal-line technology would be a huge boost for the game," says FA general secretary Alex Horne. "We could see it in the Premier League as early as 2012/13."
Here are six of the most contentious goal-line decisions over the years and why some of them have helped shape the history of the game. How they could have done with goal-line technology…
AFRICAN CUP OF NATIONS FINAL: NIGERIA V CAMEROON (13/02/00)
WHAT HAPPENED: Cameroon beat Nigeria 4-3 on penalties
WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED WITH GOAL-LINE TECHNOLOGY: Nigeria would have drawn level at 3-3 in the shoot-out
This final descended into farce when neither the referee or his official standing a few yards away noticed that Nigerian striker Victor Ikpeba's spot-kick had smashed down from the crossbar into the goal. It proved costly for the Super Eagles, who lost the shoot-out 4-3 and were forced to settle for runners up medals. If that wasn't bad enough, Nigeria were hosting the tournament and have failed to make the final since, while Cameroon retained the trophy on penalties in 2002, against Senegal. At least El-Hadji Diouf missed a penalty on that occasion. Every cloud...
WORLD CUP ROUND OF 16: GERMANY V ENGLAND (27/06/10)
WHAT HAPPENED: England lost 4-1
WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED WITH GOAL-LINE TECHNOLOGY: England would have reduced a 2-0 deficit to 2-2
There can be little argument that the Germans were resounding and deserving winners in this one. The 4-1 scoreline shouldn't have come as a major surprise, either, since England had been atrocious in the group stages. Yet the major talking point was actually the officials failure to spot Frank Lampard's pile driver bounce two yards over Manuel Neuer's line in the 39th minute. It would have brought Fabio Capello's side level and, at 2-2, would have given the Three Lions a huge half-time boost, having looked so defensively fragile in the opening half an hour. The high-profile error prompted FIFA President Sepp Blatter to apologise to the FA. "It is obvious that after the experiences so far at this World Cup it would be a nonsense not to reopen the file on goal-line technology," he said at the time.
FA CUP SEMI-FINAL: Middlesbrough V Chesterfield
WHAT HAPPENED: Chesterfield drew 3-3 and lost the replay
WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED WITH GOAL-LINE TECHNOLOGY: Chesterfield would have gone 3-1 up with 21 minutes left of normal time, instead of being 2-2 with 20 minutes left
Second Division (League One) Chesterfield's fairy tale passage into the FA Cup semi-final could and probably should have seen them grace Wembley to face Chelsea in the final. The Spireites led Boro 2-1 at Old Trafford when a Johnathan Howard shot crashed down off the crossbar and over the line in front of referee David Elleray, who inexplicably blew his whistle for a Boro free-kick when it seemed his linesman had flagged for a goal. The game ended 3-3 and Chesterfield lost the replay at Hillsborough 3-0.
PREMIER LEAGUE: BOLTON V Everton (01/09/97)
WHAT HAPPENED: Bolton and Everton drew 0-0 in a match with long-term consequences for both teams, as the Trotters were relegated on goal difference at the end of the season after finishing level on points with Everton
WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED WITH GOAL-LINE TECHNOLOGY: Bolton would have won 1-0
The first Premier League game at Bolton's new Reebok Stadium was tainted in controversy and turned out to be devastatingly crucial for the home side at the end of the season. After 53 minutes Gerry Taggart seemed to have put the Trotters into the lead and claim the honour of scoring the ground's first ever goal, however, referee Steve Lodge incorrectly ruled that Everton's Terry Phelan had cleared the ball away before it had crossed the line. The game finished 0-0, Bolton were denied an extra two points and Everton escaped relegation in May on goal difference, at the Trotters' expense.
WORLD CUP FINAL: ENGLAND V WEST GERMANY (30/07/66)
WHAT HAPPENED: England beat West Germany 4-2
WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED WITH GOAL-LINE TECHNOLOGY: England wouldn't have taken a 3-2 lead in extra-time and, although no one can say what would have happened in that event, it's doubtful Geoff Hurst would have become the first and so far only player to score a World Cup final hat-trick
There will never be a conclusive answer to one of football's most talked about incidents. Did Geoff Hurst's extra-time goal in the 1966 World Cup final against Germany really cross the line? The Russian linesman thought so and the Three Lions crucially went ahead 3-2 with Hurst completing his hat-trick late on to help England win the trophy for England for the first time. They have failed to lift it since and Hurst remains the only player to ever score a hat-trick on football's biggest stage. How things could have been so very different had Hawk-Eye been in existence...
PREMIER LEAGUE: MAN UNITED v Spurs (04/01/05)
WHAT HAPPENED: Man United and Spurs drew 0-0
WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED WITH GOAL-LINE TECHNOLOGY: Spurs would have taken a 1-0 lead and possibly won at Old Trafford for the first time in 16 years - they are still waiting to win away to United
Spurs were denied a first victory at Old Trafford since 1989 in this stalemate when Portuguese midfielder Pedro Mendes attempted to lob United goalie Roy Carroll from the half-way line. The Northern Irish stopper spilled his effort into the Red Devil's net before desperately punching it away. Unfortunately for Mendes, the officials were too far off the pace to notice his shot cross the line and the game remained goalless. The Theatre of Dreams, for Martin Jol's men at least, turned into something of a nightmare on this cold Janaury evening.
What's the worst or most costly goal-line decision to have affected your team? Do you agree it's time to introduce goal-line technology? Let us know what you think by leaving a comment below...