WILDER EURO LEGAL THREAT
CHRIS WIldeR says Sheffield United would consider legal action if they miss out on european football because of Hawk-eye’s error during their draw at Aston Villa.
The goal-line technology failed to alert referee Michael Oliver when Villa goalkeeper Oerjan Nyland carried the ball into his own net during the first half of Wednesday’s stalemate.
Wilder’s midfielder Ollie Norwood has since asked who would be accountable if they finished two points outside the european places and the players missed their bonuses.
They are currently sixth, just one point behind fifth-placed Manchester United.
Fifth could be enough for a Champions league place should Manchester City fail in their bid to overturn a two-year ban. But Wilder (below) has revealed that the club will be assessing their legal options. ‘There will obviously be a discussion above me about the situation,’ he said. ‘That’s only right and I think everybody would expect that. We will only know when the final whistle goes at Southampton (the last day of the season).’ Hawk-eye said it was the first time in 9,000 matches their technology had failed. Wilder added: ‘From my point of view, there has to be a safety net if we are the victims of a one-in9,000 opportunity.’ Hawk-eye claimed the reason for the error was that their cameras were obscured by the goalkeeper, a defender and the post.
However, refereeing sources have since told us that officials are ‘confused’ by that.
‘It (the statement) was very strange,’ said Wilder. ‘I have to respect what they say, but I don’t agree with it. They could have said what they wanted afterwards and it wouldn’t change my view, it was unacceptable what happened.’
Wilder insists the VAR officials should have shown more courage in over-ruling Hawk-eye.
‘It’s not a subjective VAR decision,’ he said ahead of tomorrow’s trip to Newcastle. ‘The pictures are conclusive. The goal should have stood.
‘Technology let us down but it should have been backed up by a bit of courage. I didn’t see much of that on the night from Stockley Park.’