On This Day in Football: 20th September

20th September 2008

On this day in 2008, a Championship match between Watford and Reading at Vicarage Road became infamous for a controversial decision that left fans and players alike in disbelief. In the 13th minute, Watford defender John Eustace cleared the ball out of play for a corner under pressure from Reading’s Noel Hunt. However, to the astonishment of the 14,761 spectators, linesman Nigel Bannister flagged the ball as a goal. Despite protests from Watford, including their manager Aidy Boothroyd, who was subsequently sent to the stands for his vehement objections, the decision stood. The referee, 25-year-old Stuart Attwell, upheld the linesman’s call, and the goal was recorded as a John Eustace own goal. The match concluded in a 2-2 draw, with the ‘goal’ remaining a point of contention. Discussions ensued post-match about whether Reading should have allowed Watford an unopposed equaliser or if the match should be replayed. However, the rules dictated that the referee’s decision was final, and the goal stood as awarded.

20th September 2011

Three years later, on 20th September 2011, an unusual scene unfolded in Turkey during a league match involving Fenerbahçe and Manisaspor. Following a pitch invasion by Fenerbahçe fans during a pre-season friendly against Shakhtar Donetsk, the Turkish Football Association imposed a unique sanction. Instead of playing behind closed doors, the match was open only to women and children under the age of 12. Consequently, a crowd of 41,000 women and children filled the stadium, creating a distinctive atmosphere. Before the match, players from both teams showed their appreciation by throwing flowers to the fans. The match itself ended in a 1-1 draw, and notably, there were no crowd disturbances, marking a successful implementation of the unusual attendance policy.