Landmark decision this.
UEFA have taken the unprecedented step of ordering a European Championship qualifier to be replayed, from the 95th minute.
England Women’s Under-19 side were defeated 2-1 by Norway on Saturday but there was a controversial conclusion to the match.
Leah Williamson scored a penalty, deep into injury time, but had the equalising goal ruled out due to encroachment by her teammates into the box. The referee should have ordered the penalty to be re-taken but, instead, referee Marija Kurtes awarded an indirect free-kick out for Norway.
England were livid and the players’ protests carried on until well after the final whistle.
However, in a correction on UEFA.com today, the footballing body states:
‘We originally wrote that Norway had qualified but on 8 April the UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body (CEDB) announced that Norway’s game against England on 4 April will be replayed from the minute a penalty kick was awarded to England, who were 2-1 down at the time.’
Quite a story brewing with the Wmn's U19s. England and Norway both win this afternoon – which means tonight's re-taken PK+18s is now pivotal
— Jamie Reid ⚽️ (@JamieRfootball) April 9, 2015
It means Williamson will, tonight, have a second chance to score from the spot. Whatever the outcome they will then play the final 18 seconds that are left on the clock.
To make matters even more confusing both sides were in action in their final group games this afternoon and both won meaning that Williamson’s penalty is crucial to England and Norway’s progress in the tournament.
No pressure there.
