FA OVERTURN MATCH RESULT
For the first time in English football history a refereeing error has led to a successful appeal for a match to be replayed, creating the possibility of a "complaint culture" where results do not necessarily stand at the final whistle.
The case, arising from a fixture last month between Edgware Town and Harefield United in the Spartan South Midlands League, is rapidly becoming the talk of the non-League game, but has wider implications for the professional game.
Just as Jean-Marc Bosman was an unknown player with an obscure objection to the terms of his contract renewal before litigation led to a revolution in transfer laws, so this case could open the way for change.
Just as Jean-Marc Bosman was an unknown player with an obscure objection to the terms of his contract renewal before litigation led to a revolution in transfer laws, so this case could open the way for change.
One administrator said last night that the decision, in Edgware's favour, could "open a can of worms", while another senior figure said "it could signal the road to bedlam. Until now, the game has been predicated on the rule that the referee is always right. He no longer is."
The controversy began when Edgware hosted Harefield in a SSM League game on 5 September. Harefield were leading 1-0 when they conceded a second-half penalty, which Edgware scored.
But the referee, Mark Tweed, disallowed it for infringement by an Edgware player. Under the laws of the game, Tweed should have ordered the kick to be retaken. Instead he awarded a free-kick to Harefield.
But the referee, Mark Tweed, disallowed it for infringement by an Edgware player. Under the laws of the game, Tweed should have ordered the kick to be retaken. Instead he awarded a free-kick to Harefield.
The match finished 1-0 to Harefield, and Edgware appealed to the SSM League for a replay. The League asked Tweed to confirm his actions in a report, and, satisfied he had made an error, ruled in Edgware's favour and ordered the replay.