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$300 million blunder comes back to haunt relegated EPL side

Riley Morgan
·Sports Reporter
·4-min read
Adam Smith (pictured left) looking sad after being relegated and a Goal Line technology fail (pictured right) as the keeper catches the ball.
Adam Smith (pictured left) of AFC Bournemouth after being relegated and a Goal Line technology fail (pictured right) back in June that helped Aston Villa. (Images: Getty Images/Twitter)

A dramatic final day of the Premier League season had fans holding their breath after Aston Villa fought for a draw to remain in the top flight, but Bournemouth could be cursing a technology blunder back in June that has ultimately cost the team more than $300 million.

The battle to avoid the two remaining relegation places went to the wire as Aston Villa scored in the 84th minute, conceded a minute later, then held on for 1-1 draw at West Ham to survive.

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Captain Jack Grealish scored Villa's goal in what could be his last game for his boyhood club.

"I'm pleased, proud and every adjective to go with it. It is a proud moment and feels better than going up (from the Championship) last season," Villa manager Dean Smith said.

"Condolences to Watford and Bournemouth. I can only imagine how they feel now."

Bournemouth did what they had to do and beat Everton, 3-1, but ended up one point behind Villa.

But fans have pointed out a crucial moment after the ‘unprecedented’ goal-line technology blunder, which denied Sheffield United a goal against Villa back in June, resulting in a draw between the teams.

That point ultimately has helped keep Villa afloat and has sent Bournemouth packing after five years in the top flight.

Research from Delloite estimated the revenue from playing in the Premier League in 2019/20 was around $300 million with payments set to increase over the next few years.

‘Painful’: Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe

"We were excellent today," Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe said.

"It's a sad, painful feeling for me in my heart. It's difficult when you feel like you've let people down."

Watford were also relegated as the next-to-last team after losing 3-2 at Arsenal.

Troy Deeney, Watford's captain, hinted he may now leave the club.

"I have been here 10 years, if it is my time to go, it is my time to go," Deeney said on Sky Sports.

"I will take the stick on social media but the harsh reality is people will lose their jobs because we haven't been good enough."

Callum Wilson and Eddie Howe of Bournemouth leave the pitch after their side are relegated from the Premier League.
Callum Wilson and Eddie Howe of Bournemouth leave the pitch after their side are relegated from the Premier League. (Photo by Robin Jones - AFC Bournemouth/AFC Bournemouth via Getty Images)

Manchester United and Chelsea also qualified for the European Champions League at the expense of Leicester.

United won 2-0 at Leicester through goals by Bruno Fernandes and Jesse Lingard to give Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's team a third-place finish on Sunday.

"I'm delighted. We've achieved a Champions League spot," said the United boss, whose side were eight points behind fourth place when the league restarted after the coronavirus break in June.

"We've come from way, way behind teams and gone past them. We've shown that we've got the consistency, the right mentality."

With AAP