Project Restart: Hawk-Eye apologise To Sheffield United Over disallowed goal 

In a statement issued following the first Premier League game in three months, the company behind the league’s goal-line technology apologised to the Premier League and Sheffield United.

In front of a virtually empty Villa Park, Sheffield United appeared to score a legitimate goal shortly before half-time which would have given them the lead against Aston Villa.

Villa goalkeeper Ørjan Nyland caught a free-kick and was then clearly bumped over the line by one of his own players.

As Sheffield United players protested with referee Michael Oliver, the official indicated that his watch had not signalled that the ball had crossed the line.

In a statement, Hawk-Eye said:

“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.

“The match officials did not receive a signal to the watch nor earpiece as per the Goal Decision System (GDS) protocol. The seven cameras located in the stands around the goal area 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.

read also: Dries Mertens pens new Napoli deal ahead of cup final

“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.”

The game finished 0-0.