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Goal-line technology doubt: close call in Eredivisie

There was some goal-line technology doubt in the Dutch Eredivisie. In the top clash between Feyenoord (1) and PSV (3) the GLT system decided the outcome of the game.

And this is what we saw on our tv screens, but it doesn’t give any clarity.

Goal-line technology doubt: did it pass the goal-line?

After this view the camera will show the position of the ball, which seemed just a few millimeters over the goal-line. A very close call. But when did it happen? You can seen the video below and ask yourself the previous question.

What the referee experienced

In “De Kuip”, the Feyenoord stadium, there is goal-line technology. The ball went close, but referee Bas Nijhuis did not get a notification that the ball has passed the line. “Players came running at me and ask if it’s a goal, but I get no signal on my watch”, he says in a tv interview with FOX Sports. But right after goalie Zoet moves the ball to his chest, the watch starts vibrating and gives the “GOAL” notification. “I thought: why is the signal so late, but it gets clear now I’ve seen the video. You can see that the goalie moves the ball backwards to his chest.”

Nijhuis says this is a “special moment”, also for the referees. “I had no clue myself”, the referee says. “And my assistant referee Schaap has told me he could never see if that ball has crossed the line. My first idea was no goal, until the watch got vibrating. I’m very happy with this technique. This system has saved us.”

2 Comments

  • Dany Mahmalat

    For the majority of us without GLT, I think there is an important lesson here.
    Imagine you are AR and must decide goal/no goal. You are shielded by the keeper’s back and a defender ! There is no way you can make a call for a goal, even if the ball would have clearly and obviously crossed the line.

    Whenever there is a situation like this, I think it’s important for the referee to get close to the goal line to be able to assist in goal/no goal situations as well from the opposite angle. This situation is unfortunately more common than we think.

    In this specific case, of course I think only GLT would have been able to save the call due to how tight the decision is. But close proximity to the goal line would have helped sell a no-goal decision in a non GLT match.

    • Jan ter Harmsel

      I think it’s impossible to spot situations at high speed without GLT. During Boxing Day in Scotland the ball crossed the line, but can’t see that with the naked eye.

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