Copps Happy For Replay

Reading boss Steve Coppell has said he would be open to replaying the 2-2 draw at Watford which was marred by an aboslutely atrocious piece of officiating.

Reading were awarded a goal in the 13th minute when the linesman flagged as he believed the ball had crossed the line.

Replays proved that the ball wasn’t anywhere near the goal resulting in suggestions that Reading should have let Watford score to even things out.

The Royals subsequently had a goal disallowed and two good penalty decisions turned down, possibly as an attempt to even out the poor decision of the first half.

Reading were the better team before the goal was given and if anything the award of the goal spurred Watford on.

The game finished 2-2 but could well have gone either way should the controversial goal not been given.

Royals manager Steve Coppell has now admitted he would have no objections to replaying the game, should this be the route the FA would like to take.

He said: ‘I’ve seen it and my conclusion is obviously that it wasn’t right.

‘If the authorities decide a replay is the correct thing to do, I’ve got no objections whatsoever.

‘I’m not sure there’s a precedent, but if that’s what people decide I am quite happy to do it. We don’t want to be seen to be taking advantage of anything.

‘To an extent I have sympathy with Watford and I really don’t know what to say to make it right.

‘Decisions are the referee’s responsibility. I still have the same conclusion that surely at this stage of football’s development we can have immediate video evidence to protect teams against this type of thing.

‘The game is so quick and mistakes happen. If we can use technology to avoid mistakes or minimise them, it’s got to be for the good of the game.

‘I always say, when the referee is wrong, he’s still right. We got the advantage this time, but I’d like to think if we’d been on the other end of it we’d be able to accept it.

‘Like I said, if the League phone me now and say something was definitely wrong, I’m happy to go along with it.’