Crossing a line: Goal-line drama set to end in the Premier League

Throughout footballing history there have been many incidents where the ball has been close to or just over the line with the referee making the wrong decision.

One of the most important jobs that refs and officials have to do is determine whether or not a goal is legitimate. There have been many incidents involving goals that should and shouldn’t have been that can often decide entire seasons.

While some goal-line decisions are pretty hard to get right, in other cases, they seem pretty easy to spot.

Fortunately, thanks to pressure from fans, players, managers and club owners, the Premier League has this week decided to introduce goal-line technology from the start of next season. This move can’t come soon enough for some fed-up managers.

Hawk-Eye will provide the technology behind revolutionising modern football having been successfully used in other sports such as cricket and tennis.

While the English top flight will use goal-line technology, competitions like the Champions League and Europa League will not because UEFA president Michel Platini isn’t a fan. Platini’s FIFA counterpart Sepp Blatter, on the other hand, came out in favour after the 2010 World Cup.

After years of reluctance over its introduction, imagine what major decisions could have been resolved: relegation battles, major finals and last-day deciders could have been changed.

Here are just some of the shocking goal-line decisions that could have been averted in years gone by.

Bloemfontein blooper denies Lampard

England fans were left pondering ‘what if’ at the last World Cup against familiar foes Germany in the second round when Frank Lampard’s strike rebounded down off the crossbar and landed a least a foot over the line and should have hauled the sides level at 2-2.

As it was, ref Jorge Larrionda and his officials waved play on and Germany ran out deserved 4-1 winners in the end.

Lady Luck finally smiles on Lampard

Less than a year after that fateful incident in South Africa, Lampard’s luck took a turn for the better in a Premier League clash between Chelsea and Tottenham at Stamford Bridge

The Chelsea midfielder shot from distance and Spurs goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes made a hash of it before stopping the ball from fully crossing the line only for a goal to be awarded.

Mendes left miffed by Old Trafford snub

This video clip still makes for harrowing viewing for Spurs fans some eight years after a long-range effort from Pedro Mendes practically touched the net before being cruelly disallowed against Manchester United.

It’s hard to disagree with the train of thought that United always get the big decisions at Old Trafford after reviewing this horrific referring mistake.

A day to forget for Attwell at Vicarage Road

Stuart Attwell will probably still be having nightmares over the ‘ghost goal’ that he awarded during the 2008 Championship clash between Watford and Reading that left everyone in football stunned.

A corner from Stephen Hunt bounced off John Eustace for what looked like being another corner until to everyone’s amazement, a goal was given.