Tuesday, June 19, 2012
5 Famous Soccer Goal-Line Controversies
AP
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WARSAW, Poland (AP) — Soccer's seemingly endless argument about how to judge goal line decisions ignited again Tuesday, as Ukraine went out of the Euro 2012 tournament it is co-hosting.

Ukraine needed to beat England to advance to the quarterfinals, but was denied a goal in the 62nd minute when trailing 1-0.

Television replays appeared to show that the ball clearly crossed the line from Marko Devic's shot before defender John Terry hooked it clear.

UEFA President Michel Platini has promoted a five-officials system of refereeing as a human alternative to goal-line technology, and video replay which he fears would be the inevitable next step.

After Tuesday's controversy in Donetsk, there seems to be unstoppable momentum behind giving referees high-tech aids to make accurate decisions.

Still, fans never tire of talking and debating famous goal-line controversies:

1966 — England vs. Germany, World Cup final.

The biggest match in world soccer produced one of the most controversial incidents in the 140-year history of the international game.

At Wembley Stadium, the World Cup host nation and West Germany were locked at 2-2 in the first period of extra time. England forward Geoff Hurst spun in the penalty area and fired a rising right-foot shot that hit the underside of the crossbar, bounced down on — or was it over? — the goal line and out. England players stopped to celebrate, German players protested. Swiss referee Gottfried Dienst consulted his Azerbaijani linesman, Tofik Bakhramov, and a goal was given. Hurst later completed his hat trick and England won 4-2.

In Germany, goals similar to Hurst's are still known as a "Wembley-Tor" (Wembley Goal).

2005 — Liverpool vs. Chelsea, Champions League semifinal, second leg.

Liverpool reached the final of the world's most prestigious club competition with a single goal over two, tightly fought matches against Chelsea. Continued...

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