Premier League dismiss replay claims

The Premier League have dismissed any suggestion TV replays could have influenced Steve Bennett's call to overturn a penalty decision at Hull.

Young: Looked to have handled the ball
Young: Looked to have handled the ball

Hull thought they had earned a late lifeline in Tuesday's 1-0 Premier League defeat by Aston Villa at the KC Stadium when Bennett pointed to the spot in stoppage time for an apparent handball by Ashley Young.

Bennett, however, changed his mind following protests by Villa and consultation with his assistant Andy Halliday.

The pair correctly ruled the ball had struck the crossbar and not Young's raised arm but there have since been claims a third party, having seen a replay, could have influenced the decision via their earpieces.

This would contravene Premier League rules forbidding both third-party influence and the use of replays and Hull have called for an investigation.

The Premier League are adamant nothing untoward occurred and a spokesman said: "(Referees chief) Keith Hackett has spoken to Steve Bennett and the other match officials and what is absolutely clear is the decision was made between the assistant referee and the referee."

Additionally, the Premier League have also pointed out that video screens have now been removed from technical areas as part of the 'Get on with the Game' initiative and replays cannot be seen there.

Yet with numerous monitors around other parts of the ground and the match also having been televised live, Hull claim questions still need to be answered.

Manager Phil Brown said: "You look at people's body languages and you look at the linesman, who was less than a yard away from Steve Bennett, and he wasn't talking to him - but he was listening to something.

"There is a monitor down the tunnel which Sky control and literally five, six yards away is the fourth official, Howard Webb."

He added: "As far as I am concerned, something did go on in the 92nd minute that has affected the result of the game. No doubt in my mind."

Brown has no problem with the game experimenting with the use of video technology but does not want it used surreptitiously before it is formally introduced.

He added: "Until it is cleared, you cannot use video evidence.

"Until it is cleared, and I think there is already a grey area where this is concerned, the fourth official cannot change the mind of the referee.

"So who was the assistant referee listening to?

"We want answers to know who changed the referee's mind and who gave that person the power? If it was the assistant referee, end of story. We will walk away."

Brown's sentiments echo those of his chairman Paul Duffen, who had no qualms over Bennett's final decision but just the way at which it was arrived.

"All we are saying is that the events bring into question who exactly did influence the referee," Duffen said in the Daily Mail.

"I would like a report from the match officials and confirmation of who was talking in the earpiece. There is a concern that somebody (else) was using video evidence.

"We are most concerned about the integrity of the competition and that some form of video evidence isn't being introduced by officials on a discretionary basis."

Your Comments

cfcfan (Chelsea fan)

"I second that! Introduce the video evidence for the love of the game. Hehe...

This will help referees to perform their jobs better and correctly. Not adding another 2 sideline referees to look at the goal line. LOL..."

johnsydney (Aston Villa fan)

"Oh get a life ! No handball. No penalty. No points. Move on."

elboyo (Manchester United fan)

"it sure looked like the assistant referee was listening to someone even when the referee was right next to him. Guys in the FA pls fairplay. Introduce video evidence if u think its needed and lets get on with the game. this really was a good case for video evidence been used (if it was) as the right decision was made eventually."

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