Sport

Linesman: We need TV help

Raoul Simons|Evening Standard
14 April 2012

Rob Lewis, the linesman at the centre of the storm over Spurs being denied a last-minute winner against Manchester United, today called for the introduction of video technology.

Spurs should have clinched a famous victory when Portuguese midfielder Pedro Mendes's 40-metre lob was fumbled by United goalkeeper Roy Carroll, but Lewis did not see the ball cross the goal-line.

The decision astonished the 67,962 crowd and angered Spurs but Shropshire official Lewis today said: "For matterof-fact issues, like whether the ball has crossed the line, technology should be introduced."

No decision has yet been taken by the Professional Game Match Officials Board (PGMOB) on whether to suspend Lewis for failing to see that Mendes's strike had crossed the line in the 0-0 draw.

PGMOB general manager Keith Hackett defended Lewis today but it is thought he could still be rested for a few games or given lower-profile matches to allow the controversy-to die down. Even United director Sir Bobby Charlton admitted: "The ball was definitely over the line," before seeing TV replays.

Lewis said: "I pride myself on being fast over a short distance but by the time the ball landed I was 25 yards away and it was impossible to see whether it had crossed the line."

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The controversy has led to renewed calls for the introduction of TV replays to help officials. Mendes said: "It is frustrating because we should have won. We should have been going home with three points. Now we have to settle for one.

"I saw that Carroll had come forward and was out of his goal. The ball came to me so I shot and hit it really well. In fact, I hit it in the goal and it was a goal! Only the referee didn't think so.

"I know it happened very quickly and the keeper pulled the ball back, but you would hope the linesman would be in the right place to see if it was a goal or not. I had a feeling the ball had crossed the line and, having seen it again, there is no doubt."

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