Central Coast Football move to overturn men’s first grade grand final result

FURORE over a disallowed goal in a grand final penalty shootout has resulted in one club likely to be stripped of its Division One men’s premiership.

Central Coast Football has moved to award Woongarrah Wildcats the 2017 premiership.

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FURORE over a disallowed goal in a grand final penalty shootout has resulted in one club likely to be stripped of its Division One premiership.

Pending a final possible appeal, Woongarrah Wildcats will replace Umina United as champions of the men’s first grade competition on the Central Coast after a review into the September 17 match result.

Central Coast Football chief executive Darren Sprod confirmed to the Express Advocate this morning that the result had been overturned following a referee’s mistake.

The incident occurred when a Woongarrah goal was disallowed despite crossing the goal line.

It is believed the ball hit the crossbar, then the back of the goalkeeper, and dribbled over the line — but the ref mistakenly ruled the goal ineligible.

Had it been counted, Woongarrah would have won the match instantly. The club went on to lose the match.

Darren Sprod (left) pictured with former NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell in 2011.

A review of the rules found a penalty shot is complete when the motion of the ball comes to a halt and hence, the goal should have stood.

This is the first time in the history of Central Coast Football that a grand final result has been overturned.

Mr Sprod said it was an “emotive time” and that he felt for the players, coaches and supporters of both clubs.

“Both sides have worked hard all season. There are no winners here,” he said.

Mr Sprod said referees were “human beings too” and that the official involved “didn’t (make the mistake) on purpose”.

Umina player Jason Stafford pictured in action during the 2016 season.

Woongarrah lodged a protest following the completion of the match. As CEO, Mr Sprod then made a determination that the result be overturned.

His decision has been reviewed by an “independent football barrister” identified by Football NSW.

Mr Sprod said the barrister provided evidence of precedence and cited other instances, both in NSW and internationally, where similar situations had occurred.

Umina United has until Wednesday to appeal the final decision. A full public statement is expected to be issued at the competition of the review process next week.

UPDATE 3.10PM Umina United club president Nigel Mainland has spoken of his club’s frustration and disappointment with a Central Coast Football decision to overturn the men’s division one grand final result.

“We got the phone call late afternoon on the Monday (following the game) to say there had been a protest lodged,” Mr Mainland said.

“We had concerns that it was setting the wrong precedent, including for the juniors.

“The first rule in playing to the spirit of the game is that the ref’s decision is final.

“This is opening a real can of worms.”

He also had concerns about “video evidence” tendered as part of the appeal.

“We’d hate to have people on the sidelines from clubs videoing for the purpose of challenging referee decisions.”

VIDEO OF UMINA’S “VICTORY”

Mr Mainland said if Maradona’s infamous Hand of God goal could stand then he found it difficult to understand why Central Coast Football wouldn’t “stand behind their referee”.

“We feel he has been hung out to dry a little bit.”

He said the club would not be appealing the barrister’s findings due to cost constraints.

“Woongarrah have the victory, it’s probably a hollow victory for them, I can’t see them getting too excited about it,” Mr Mainland.

“Darren Sprod is right when he says ‘there are no winners’.”

The referee is believed to have incorrectly ruled that the ball was “dead” once it hit the crossbar and travelled in a direction towards the opposite goal.

Rules stipulate that the ball is still in play until motion has completely stopped.

Mr Mainland said the decision did not jeopardise his club’s ascension to the Battlewin Premier League division in season 2018.

Attempts to contact the Woongarrah Wildcats club have so far been unsuccessful. Updates to follow.