Watford Vs. Reading: The Worst Refereeing Blunder Of All Time

In quite an extraordinary game at Vicarage Road between Watford and Reading, the first goal was awarded to the visitors even though the ball was a good yard away from the goal—yes, the ball was not even near the goal but was awarded by the assistant referee, Nigel Bannister.

The referee, Stuart Atwell, who is one of the youngest referees in England at 25 years of age didn't overrule the linesman, and awarded the goal to Reading to their own disbelief.

If anyone thought that Mike Riley made mistakes in yesterday's match between Chelsea and Manchester United, then please watch this blunder by the linesman and the referee in question.

Apparently, Banister told the Watford manager, Aidy Boothroyd after the game that "an optical illusion" led to his decision. Well, all I can say is, get a good pair of glasses Nigel!

After the game, Aidy Boothroyd, who was sent to the stands by the referee following his protests at the awarding of the farcical goal said:

"I've never seen anything like it. It's like a UFO landing, a mistake like that. I've been to see the referee and, in fairness, he's only going on what the linesman says.

"He's working in a team and, if someone comes in his ear telling him it's a goal, I suppose he's got to give it."

Reading boss Steve Coppell has indicated that he has no qualms about playing the game again as that was a huge mistake by Bannister. He said:

"When the whistle went I wondered what it was for as I could not see a foul. Everyone trooped back to the centre and then it became obvious that the referee had given the goal.

"But after speaking to Noel Hunt after the game it became clear that the ball went out of play wide of the goal.

"The game is crying out for video evidence and it has been for a long time. It's obvious. Rugby League puts us to shame with how referees can call for replays."

It was stated that Reading could just let Watford score an equaliser, but the Reading boss clearly stated that it wasn't their prerogative to do so:

"Let's get this clear. The responsibility is not with the opposition to right a wrong. It is up to the officials to get it as right as they can. It's like cricket, do you walk or not if you've nicked one behind? As a renowned opening batsman I used to walk but it's a hypothetical question.

"If the referee had come and told me at half-time that they'd cocked it up I don't know whether I would have let them score."

Watford did equalise and eventually took the lead only for Atwell to award a penalty to Reading in the 87th minute and that led the match to finish at 2-2.

This was some match, and with such a young referee making such a huge mistake in a Championship game, one can only hope that he's not too severely reprimanded because, as Boothroyd said, he did go on his linesman's word.