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Sport

Gillingham manager Steve Lovell calls for video technology to have final say in Leagues 1 and 2

By: Luke Cawdell lcawdell@thekmgroup.co.uk

Published: 07:40, 11 December 2017

Gillingham boss Steve Lovell believes video technology should be available throughout the Football League.

His players felt they should have been awarded an opening goal against Plymouth on Saturday when Tom Eaves’ effort appeared to cross the line.

That came just days after Josh Parker was denied a goal against Oxford in the Checkatrade Trophy when his shot went over the line but a goal wasn’t given.

Gillingham boss Steve Lovell Picture: Ady Kerry

Unlike Parker’s effort, the Eaves’ one wasn’t backed up by conclusive video evidence, but Lovell is sure the answer lies in the already-available technology.

Video replays are already being used in the Premier League and the Championship to assist the officials, and asked if it should be used at Gills’ level, Lovell said: “I think so and I don’t understand why it isn’t. If it is (being used) at the top I don’t understand why it isn’t at our level.

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“It is something that needs a lot of thought about but it saves a lot of hassle. It is hard enough for referees and I think it should be brought in all the way down.

“I am not just saying that because we have had two goals which we most probably should have had, but it is easier for the officials, they don’t get as much stick then do they?

“It is so easy to look at it and then there are no arguments. Most of the first half, Tom was having a go at the referee saying it was a goal, it just cuts out that grey area, it’s a goal or not.”

Lovell did question the linesman at half-time over the decision not to give the goal but he had sympathy for them.

He said: “It did cost us in the end because had that gone in we would have got at least a point out of it but you can’t do anything about it, it’s gone.

“It’s two in a week but hopefully we will get two later on and it evens itself out. You have to be realistic.

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“It is a hard enough job for the referees anyway, they get enough stick, the referee did all right – they always do. It is a tough job.”

The goalkeeper at the centre of the controversy, Kelle Roos, wasn’t sure about it either, at least not in public.

“For me, I don’t care,” he said. “At the end of the day the referee didn’t give it.

“He (Eaves) shot, the ball dips down, I went to tap it into the ground but it went underneath me and behind me. I didn’t know where it was. I don’t know if it went in or not to be honest.”

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