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Football

28th Jul 2020

Bournemouth considering legal action against Hawk-Eye after Aston Villa blunder

Bournemouth are considering taking legal action against Hawk-Eye after the goal line technology error that kept Aston Villa up

Reuben Pinder

Computer says no

Bournemouth’s board will meet later this week to discuss whether or not they will take legal action against Hawk-Eye, the Premier League’s supplier of goal line technology.

The Cherries were relegated from the Premier League this weekend by just one point despite beating Everton 3-1. Aston Villa’s hard fought draw against West Ham ensured they would survive at Bournemouth’s expense, having benefitted from a goal line technology blunder during their game against Sheffield United back in June.

In the first game back following the Covid-19 induced hiatus, Aston Villa goalkeeper Orjan Nyland carried the ball over his own goal line at a set-piece. Photographs from various angles showed viewers nationwide that it should have been given as a goal. But referee Michael Oliver’s watch didn’t bleep. The technology had failed. The game finished goalless and Villa got a point.

Hawk-Eye apologised for the mistake after the game, claiming “seven cameras located in the stands around the goal area were significantly occluded by the goalkeeper, defender and goalpost.”

Bournemouth feel understandably hard done by. Thus far, no lawyers have been instructed but the board will meet this week to discuss their plan of action.

Eddie Howe’s future as manager will also be on the agenda.