Technology trouble blights eventful Premier League restart

LONDON－The Premier League restart was engulfed in controversy on Wednesday when goal-line technology made an unprecedented blunder after players took the knee to protest against racism at both matches.

The English top flight was put on hold in March due to the coronavirus pandemic and all 92 remaining games are being crammed into a six-week period.

The first match, between Aston Villa and Sheffield United, finished goalless before Manchester City won the later game against 10-man Arsenal 3-0.

The big talking point at Villa Park came late in the first half when Villa goalkeeper Orjan Nyland appeared to carry Oliver Norwood's freekick over the line.

Referee Michael Oliver's watch failed to signal the goal and the game continued.

"I don't know whether to laugh or cry," said Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder.

"Already the jokes have started.... It's all going to come out but we're pretty disappointed and we've got to get on with it."

After the match, Hawk-Eye Innovations, which operates the video technology, apologized "unreservedly" for the error.

"The seven cameras located in the stands around the goal area were significantly occluded by the goalkeeper, defender and goalpost," the company said in a statement.

"This level of occlusion has never been seen before in over 9,000 matches that the Hawk-Eye Goal Line Technology system has been in operation."

A point apiece in Birmingham did not suit either side.

Villa was seeking a precious win to lift it out of the relegation zone while the Blades are chasing a European spot next season.

Taking a knee

Before kickoff, in front of a huge global audience, players and staff protested racial injustice for about 10 seconds in solidarity with worldwide demonstrations following the death of unarmed black man George Floyd in policy custody in Minneapolis.

"In the first Premier League fixture of Project Restart both clubs hope that the act of 'taking a knee' will send a strong message of unity," the clubs said in a joint statement.

Manchester City and Arsenal players mirrored the protest before kickoff at the Etihad Stadium.

All players will wear the words "Black Lives Matter" (BLM) on the back of their shirts where names are normally printed for the first 12 matches of the restart.

City's home win means Liverpool, on the brink of its first English topflight title for 30 years, cannot seal the deal when it returns to action this weekend.

A first-half goal from Raheem Sterling and second-half strikes from Kevin De Bruyne and Phil Foden gave second-place City a comfortable win. Arsenal's David Luiz was sent off early in the second half.

If Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool beats local rival Everton on Sunday, the Reds will be champions of England for the 19th time if they overcome Crystal Palace at Anfield next week.

While the race for the Premier League title is a foregone conclusion, the battle for Champions League places and the relegation scrap are both far more closely contested.

Matches are being preceded by a minute's silence in memory of victims of COVID-19. Britain is one of the worst-hit country in Europe, with more than 42,000 deaths.

Three of the four managers to lead their sides on Wednesday have been touched by the virus.

Villa boss Dean Smith's father died, while City manager Pep Guardiola lost his mother.

Guardiola's former assistant Mikel Arteta returned to the Etihad for the first time as Arsenal manager three months after his positive test for coronavirus hastened the season shutdown.

Eerie silence

With all games being played behind closed doors, players will have to get used to the eerie silence in the usually raucous stands.

Piping crowd chants into stadiums, cardboard cut-outs of supporters and live-video fan walls add color but the Premier League's chief executive Richard Masters admitted there's something missing without crowds.

Just 300 people are being allowed into stadiums for each match, with strict health protocols in place.

Players have been told to maintain social distancing during goal celebrations and are banned from spitting.

Tottenham hosts Manchester United on Friday in the battle for Champions League places before a busy program of matches over the weekend.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE