Alain Sars points out that the linesman can't be blamed for not seeing that the ball had crossed the line, given the speed of the ball and the fact that he was in the correct position: level with the last defender not on the goal-line. He says that officials have been asking for help from video replays, but all in vain so far. Of all the types of problematic incidents which video evidence is put forward as a solution to, this has to be the most reasonable. All you'd need is an official watching the TV coverage off-pitch, you wouldn't even need to stop the game unless he said that a goal was scored.

Sars also gives a completely reasonable defence of his decision not to send the Finnish keeper off for tripping Gooners' favourite Teddy Sheringham. As he points out, there were 2 covering defenders coming into the box, and with the ball running away from Sheringham, it was far from clear that he'd have scored. To be frank, some of the bleating about this incident from English sources this week has been rather embarassing.

No word from Sars on the incident where the keeper picked the ball up outside his area, though.

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