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Hawkeye issue apology for ‘wobbly lines’ VAR image for Mata’s disallowed goal
VAR caused a stir on Saturday after Manchester United had a goal ruled out against Huddersfield in the FA Cup
THE company that provides VAR technology have apologised for supplying broadcasters BT Sport with the wrong graphic during Saturday's FA Cup game between Manchester United and Huddersfield.
Hawkeye innovations have also insisted that the 'wobbly line' image shown by the broadcaster was not used to disallow Juan Mata's goal.
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The controversy underlines the problem over fans and viewers not being informed about what is happening during the delay while decisions are being reviewed.
BT Sport presenter commented at half-time that the "line is all wobbly" while pundit Robbie Savage blasted the decision to overrule the linesman "a shambles".
But a Hawkeye statement read: "A technical error led to an incorrect graphic being provided by Hawkeye to BT Sport on Saturday.
"To confirm, the VAR saw the correct image with the correct lines to make the decision. This was a case of the wrong image being provided to the broadcaster and we apologise."
The system is being trialled in the FA Cup and Carabao Cup this season.
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The technology was praised after correctly overturning a decision to rule out Kelechi Iheanacho's goal in Leicester's 2-0 win over Fleetwood last month.
However, on Saturday, Mata had a goal controversially ruled out by VAR after a review.
The replay was then shown on the VAR system, but the lines appeared to look inaccurate.
To make matters worse, a message was displayed on the screen at the John Smith's Stadium claiming that VAR is not 100% accurate.
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It said: "The aim is not to achieve 100% accuracy, but to avoid clear and obvious errors.
"The referee remains the final decision maker, their decision can only be changed if the video review shows a clear and obvious error.
"The VAR will only intervene to correct a clear and obvious error made by the on-field referee team, or for missed serious incidents (Eg violent conduct)."
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