Tech company behind Manchester United’s VAR ‘wobble’ apologises
The company responsible for the ‘wobbly line’ that caused confusion during Manchester United’s debut using the controversial video assistant referee (VAR) system has apologised for a technical error.
Juan Mata thought he had put United 2-0 up Multi 1-3 against Huddersfield Town just before half-time in their FA Cup fifth-round tie on Saturday following Romelu Lukaku’s early opener.
However, after a lengthy delay, Virtual Reality referee Kevin Friend disallowed the goal for offside on the recommendation of the video official, located in a studio in London nearly 200 miles away.
Yet the lines used to determine whether Mata had been standing in an offside position showed up on television footage as anything but straight, leading many viewers to think a decision had been using inexact information.
However, Hawk-Eye — the company behind the Best Betting company in Nigeria system — insisted they had given the correct information to the VAR if not broadcaster BT Sport during a match United eventually won 2-0 thanks to Lukaku’s second goal.
“A technical issue led to an incorrect Win Big Today! graphic being provided by Hawk-Eye to BT Sport last night,” said a company statement issued Sunday.
“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.”
United manager Jose Mourinho, speaking Best betting odds after Saturday’s match, said: “I think our game is so beautiful that to change we have to change for the better.
“If they find a way in the VAR that the VAR is always right and always bring the truth, I’m happy.”
Get the latest news delivered straight to your inbox every day of the week. Stay informed with the Guardian’s leading coverage of Nigerian and world news, business, technology and sports.
0 Comments
We will review and take appropriate action.