Bournemouth could sue over ‘ghost goal’
Bournemouth are considering taking legal advice over the Hawk-eye error that contributed to their relegation from the Premier League.
Hawk-eye publicly apologised when Sheffield United’s “goal” in their 0-0 draw against Aston Villa last month was ruled out after the seven stadium cameras were blocked by the goalkeeper, defender and post, meaning that referee Michael Oliver did not receive notification that the ball had crossed the line.
Aston Villa’s point from that game ultimately proved crucial. Had the goal stood and all other results remained the same, Bournemouth would have stayed up on goal difference and Villa would have been relegated.
Although lawyers have not been instructed, and there is no suggestion that league positions could be reversed, Bournemouth have not ruled out taking advice on whether they would have a case for a compensation claim. Sports lawyer Nick De Marco QC, of Blackstone Chambers, told The Daily Telegraph that any club finishing a point below Villa in the relegation fight could have a case for compensation for lost revenue. “Such a claim might be unprecedented but, depending on all the circumstances, it could be a good claim,” he said.
De Marco suggested that a claim could be made “against the Premier League, the providers of the technology, or both”.
The financial importance of being in the top flight was evident in Bournemouth’s most recent accounts, for 2018-19, where £115.6million of their £131 million income came direct from the Premier League. In March 2009, Sheffield United received almost £20 million in compensation as a result of their relegation in the 2006-07 season, after West Ham broke Premier League rules over the third-party ownership of players with the signings of Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano.
West Ham were fined £5.5million for the breach, but were spared
a points deduction, with Tevez scoring the goal on the final day that secured their safety and sent Sheffield United down. Eighteen months after Sheffield United sued West Ham for the cost of relegation, the clubs reached an out-of-court settlement of £18.1 million to end their dispute.
While Hawk-eye has acknowledged its mistake, Aston Villa would argue that they would have approached the rest of the Sheffield United game – and their final fixture of the season at West Ham, where they drew 1-1 – differently if the circumstances had changed.
Meanwhile, Bournemouth must quickly resolve manager Eddie Howe’s future. Howe’s contract does not expire until next summer but, following Sunday’s relegation, he said that he needed to speak to the club’s owner, Maxim Demin, before deciding whether he stayed. Talks are expected this week.
“This isn’t just my decision,” Howe said. “It’s, ‘What do the club want, where do the club see themselves and who do they want to lead them?’ These are questions we need to speak about in the next few days and then plan a blueprint for next season. I don’t want to give clarity when there are so many unknowns.”
Howe has apologised for relegation, but has overseen three promotions and, aside from a brief period at Burnley, been the club’s manager since 2008. A huge off-field overhaul would be needed if he left.
Howe has always wanted to ensure that Bournemouth’s Premier League tenure leaves a tangible legacy for the club, and work on their £35 million training ground project has paused due to the Covid-19 crisis and cost of relegation.
Bournemouth have always prepared for the possibility of relegation. There are clauses in players’ contracts, and significant cuts to what is already a relatively small off-field staff are unlikely.
Centre-back Nathan Ake is certain to be sold, while striker Callum Wilson, goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale and midfielder Jefferson Lerma will also attract interest.