Hawk-Eye explain why Sheffield United were denied goal against Aston Villa

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Matt Davies17 June 2020

Hawk-Eye insist their goal-line technology system "proved functional" prior to Sheffield United's missed 'goal' against Aston Villa, stating the error was due to camera "occlusion".

The Blades travelled to Villa Park in the first game of the Premier League's resumption on Wednesday, the sides settling for a 0-0 draw after an even affair.

Controversy struck shortly before half-time, however. Sheffield believed they had the ball in the back of the net after Villa keeper Orjan Nyland seemingly carried the ball over the line from a free-kick.

Despite replays clearly showing the ball was comfortably over the line, Hawk-Eye's goal-line technology did not indicate so, with referee Michael Oliver - who was awaiting a signal from his watch - waving play to carry on.

Following the conclusion of the match, Hawk-Eye released a statement, in which they insisted their cameras were blocked in a way that hadn't been seen in over 9,000 previous matches.

“During the first half of Aston Villa v Sheffield United match at Villa Park, there was a goal line incident where the ball was carried over the line by Aston Villa goalkeeper, No. 25 Nyland," Hawk-Eye wrote in a statement.

“The match officials did not receive a signal to the watch nor earpiece as per the Goal Decision System (GDS) protocol.

“The seven cameras locked in the stands around the goal were significantly occluded by the goalkeeper, defender and goalpost. This level of occlusion has never been seen before in over 9,000 matches that the Hawk-Eye Goal Line Technology system has been in operation.

“The system was tested and proved functional prior to the start of the match in accordance with the IFAB Laws of The Game and confirmed as working by the match officials.

“The system has remained functional throughout. Hawk-Eye unreservedly apologises to the Premier League, Sheffield United and everyone affected by this incident.”

Sheffield boss Chris Wilder vented his frustration after the match, clearly bemused how supposedly failed to capture the ball going over the line.

"Seven cameras haven't picked it up - the most technical league in the world - everything we see at every angle and it hasn't seen a goal," he said, as per BBC Sport. "That is disappointing from our point of view.

"We went to Tottenham last year, John Lundstram's big toe was offside and I was hanging around at White Hart Lane in the pouring rain for 10 minutes waiting for a decision. I don't understand why I can't wait 10 minutes in Birmingham.

"The statement has come out and it is unprecedented, unbelievable. I did have a laugh and joke beforehand that we have had some poor decisions go against us and I said I wouldn't bet against one going against us this evening.

"We were waiting for somebody at Stockley Park to show a bit of courage and say they will make that decision but if they've not seen it and seven cameras haven't seen it I suppose he will say that it was not their decision to make.

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