Football in England: goal too big – officials approach with a saw before kick

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Football in the goal (symbol image)

Photo: CHRISTIAN CHARISIUS/ REUTERS

When two English second division football teams played on Sunday, the goals entertained the spectators even before kick-off.

The game between Hull City and Birmingham City could not be kicked off punctually at 3 p.m.: during the field inspection, officials apparently found that one of the goals was too big.

The goalposts had to be reduced before kick-off and the goal-line technology recalibrated accordingly, the two clubs confirmed via Twitter.

According to reports, the goal posts in front of the South Stand were about two inches too long.

Videos on social media showed the goal being lifted out of the ground, placed on the lawn and sawed to size.

The game started about 20 minutes late.

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