THE AFL has released a statement after CEO Gillon McLachlan admitted an umpire mistake cost Adelaide a goal in Saturday night\u2019s one-point loss to Sydney in round twenty three.<\/p>\n
As a goal would have put the Crows up with 80 seconds left, the mistake could have cost the club a finals berth as they\u2019re now out of September calculations with the loss.<\/p>\n
The AFL said the goal umpire has been stood down for the rest of the season.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe AFL has confirmed the goal umpire in last night\u2019s match between the Adelaide Crows and the Sydney Swans made an error in definitively calling a point and not referring the decision to the ARC for review,\u201d the statement said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe goal umpire has 15 years of experience and was definitive in his call that the ball touched the post.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere were no communications issues between the ARC and the umpires and with the ball being kicked in and returned to play so quickly by Sydney it didn\u2019t allow enough time for the ARC to review or field umpires to refer to a review.<\/p>\n
\u201cUpon review, the outcome was conclusive that the decision would have been overturned and it should have been referred to the ARC at the time.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe goal umpire involved in the incident is being provided support by the AFL and we ask for everyone to respect how challenging a time it would be for him presently.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe result from last night\u2019s match stands and the AFL will not pursue any further avenues regarding changing the result.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe AFL has been in contact with the Adelaide Crows and the Sydney Swans overnight and this morning regarding this matter, and acknowledge the professionalism in which the Adelaide Crows have acknowledged the goal umpires error last night.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe goal umpire will not be available for selection for the rest of the AFL season.\u201d<\/p>\n
Adelaide also released their own statement where CEO Tim Silvers said the failure to review the decision was inexplicable as the club now has no choice but to accept the result.<\/p>\n
\u201cHuman error is, and always will be, part of football and we recognise our own performance in the first half of the season defining game was not at the standard we expect either,\u201d Silvers said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are also extremely proud of our players\u2019 effort, commitment and never give up attitude, which was again on show.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe failure to video review the scoring attempt in question is inexplicable given the enormity of the moment, not just for that game but also what it meant for our finals chances and those of other teams in the competition.<\/p>\n
\u201cHaving spoken to the AFL and with no further avenues to explore, we have no choice other than to turn our focus to the final home and away match of the season.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhile we will not participate in the upcoming finals series, we are determined to build on the progress our young playing group has made this year.\u201d<\/p>\n
Adelaide\u2019s season will end this weekend against West Coast in Perth.<\/p>\n