League rule out Watford replay
Watford will have to settle for the point they obtained in the game
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Monday, 22, Sep 2008 10:49
The Football League have ruled out any possibility that Saturday's controversial game between Watford and Reading will be replayed.
Reading manager Steve Coppell had said that he would have no objections to a re-match after assistant referee Nigel Bannister mistakenly awarded his side their first goal in the 2-2 draw after the ball had gone wide of the post.
The League's chief operating officer Andy Williamson has now rejected any possibility of that happening.
"The laws of the game give no discretion in these matters," said Williamson.
"The referee's decision regarding whether a goal is scored or not is final and binding.
"Given this explicit position, the League cannot intervene."
Reading were awarded the goal after assistant referee Bannister advised rookie referee Stuart Atwell to give the goal despite the ball clearly crossing the dead ball line several yards from the goal.
The Professional Game Match Officials board have also issued a statement in relation to the incident.
"PGMO have analysed the incident at Watford where the referee, after consultation with his assistant, awarded a goal to Reading," the statement said.
"It is clear that the ball did not cross the goal-line between the goalposts.
"According to the laws of the game, the decision of the referee, regarding facts connected with play are final and that includes whether a goal is scored or not. The referee cannot change that decision once the game has been restarted.
"Football is a human game played at a fast pace where mistakes are made by players and match officials alike.
"We regret this error of judgment and will now work with the officials concerned to determine how this occurred in an attempt to minimise such mistakes in the future."