No replay of 'phantom goal' match

Updated 20.05 Mon Sep 22 2008
Keywords: sport, nigel bannister, stuart attwell, aidy boothroyd, steve coppell, watford, phantom goal, football, championship, reading

A controversial Coca-Cola Championship clash between Watford and Reading will not be replayed.

The match finished 2-2 after an official wrongly awarded Reading a goal.

"If the authorities decide a replay is the correct thing to do then I have no objections whatsoever" - Steve Coppell

Linesman Nigel Bannister flagged for a goal instead of a corner after the ball crossed the line wide of the goal.

Referee Stuart Attwell gave Steve Coppell's men a 1-0 lead despite not a single Reading player appealing for a goal.

After reviewing the evidence, the Professional Game Match Officials board have ruled the decision was "an error of judgment."

Coppell offered to replay the game if required, saying: "If the authorities decide a replay is the correct thing to do then I have no objections whatsoever."

But the Football League's Chief Operating Officer Andy Williamson insisted the referee's decision must remain final.

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