Na true story be this — referee wey score goal by mistake! The man name na Maurice Paarhuis, and e happen for one Dutch lower division match between Harkemase Boys and HSV Hoek for year 2019.
How the Wahala Take Start
That day, Harkemase Boys dey lead 3–1, but HSV Hoek dey press them strong. Their striker take one shot wey make goalkeeper commot from line to block am.
The ball bounce come back near goal, confusion start, everybody dey try clear or shoot again. One HSV player try another shot, e hit one defender, then the ball begin roll towards referee Paarhuis, wey dey run near goal line to see better.
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Na there wahala happen, as the ball reach am, e mistakenly use leg touch am again. The ball change direction enter net before one defender fit clear am. Everybody shock! Players from Harkemase Boys begin shout say the goal no suppose stand, but Paarhuis no even think twice, e blow whistle and allow the goal stand.
After the Goal
The match still end 4–2, so the goal no change the final result. But after the match, plenty people begin argue say the goal no fair at all. The thing even make football officials for Holland begin review the rule, because wetin happen that day no be normal matter.
Why the Goal Stand That Time
Before June 1, 2019, the law of football talk say if ball mistakenly touch referee and enter goal, the goal still count. No law talk say dem suppose cancel am. Even though e rare, people don always complain say e no fair if referee body cause goal. So that year dem decide to change the rule.
New Rule: Dropped Ball Procedure
From June 1, 2019, the law don change. Now, if ball touch referee and:
- Enter goal,
- Or change which team get possession,
- Or start one promising attack,
— the referee go stop play and restart with dropped ball.
If play stop inside penalty area, dem go drop the ball for goalkeeper. If play stop outside penalty area, dem go drop the ball for one player from the team wey last touch the ball before e stop. And everybody else must stay at least 4 meters away before dem resume play.
The Final Gist
So even though the goal wey Paarhuis “score” stand that day, na because of the old rule. Under today’s law, referee no fit ever score again, at least, not legally. Still, that moment remain one of the funniest and strangest goals wey don ever happen for football history.