Ghost of a chance
Bournemouth legal challenge over Hawk-Eye blunder is doomed
ANY attempt by Bournemouth to take legal action over the Hawk-Eye blunder which arguably cost them their Premier League status could run into difficulties, thanks to the laws of the game.
The Cherries are yet to instruct lawyers but a discussion over the possibility of a compensation claim is expected to take place in the coming days.
Hawk-Eye were quick to make a public apology after Sheffield United scored a goal in their 0-0 draw with Aston Villa which was not given after the goal-line technology cameras were blocked by players.
Despite the ball being shown to have clearly crossed the line on replays, the system was not triggered and referee Michael Oliver did not receive an alert message on his watch.
Had the goal been given — and the visitors won the match — the loss of a point for Villa would have sent them down instead of Bournemouth, if the rest of the season’s results remained as they were.
However, a section in the International Football Association Board’s (IFAB) laws of the game suggests Bournemouth would face a tough battle, should they seek damages for the tens of millions that they will miss out on.
Under the heading ‘Match Validity’ — which incorporates technology advances — the rulebook states: ‘In principle, a match is not invalidated because of malfunction of the VAR technology (as for goal-line technology).’
Wrong decisions by VAR and failures to review are also listed as instances where the match is not rendered null and void.
The Cherries may well have hoped that the Carlos Tevez affair, which saw relegated Sheffield United given close to £20million in compensation from West Ham United following their relegation in 2007, could be used as a precedent.
The Blades went down on the final day of the 2006-07 season when the Hammers beat Manchester United 1-0 thanks to a goal from Tevez, who they claimed that — along with Javier Mascherano — was ineligible to play for the club under League rules on third-party ownership.
But the IFAB ruling may well rule out any potential action. The Premier League declined to comment.
Meanwhile, boss Eddie Howe will hold crunch talks with the club’s hierarchy in the next 48 hours, with a decision on his future expected by the end of this week.
Howe is undecided about his next move and will use this week’s discussions to inform his final decision, though Sportsmail believes the prospect of leaving a club where he has attained legendary status is not being discounted.
Bournemouth will have to cut their cloth accordingly following relegation, and discussions this week will revolve around the club’s plans ahead of their return to the Championship.
Nathan Ake, Josh King and Callum Wilson are expected to leave the club this summer, transfers which could recoup Bournemouth up to £80m.
It remains to be seen, however, whether the club are willing to reinvest the money back into the squad as they try to cope with the financial hit of relegation and the impacts of the coronavirus crisis.
Staff of fellow relegated club Watford have been left fearing for their jobs following their relegation from the Premier League.
Sportsmail understands the prospect of financial cuts across the board at Vicarage Road are a possibility after their fate was sealed on Sunday.
There is likely to be an exodus of players ahead of the new season.
Captain and talisman Troy Deeney has already admitted he may have played his final game for Watford, while the club are bracing themselves for offers for Gerard Deulofeu, Ismaila Sarr and Abdoulaye Doucoure.