An Atletico Madrid fan has filed a lawsuit against UEFA claiming losses due Sergio Ramos' controversial goal in the 2016 Champions League final.
The Real Madrid defender headed the opening goal of the showpiece but appeared to be offside – an incident which the claimant (also an Atletico season ticket holder) says unfairly “altered the game, benefiting one of the teams”.
José Antonio Campón is filing for a total of €1,660 (€160 for the ticket and €1500 for “moral damage”) and blames UEFA for “not applying all means to safeguard the fulfillments of regulations and choose persons (referee Mark Clattenburg) who did not fulfill their duty as would be demanded".
"We demand the system to apply technical means that exist and are already used in other sports,” Mr Campón is quoted as saying in AS.
“These errors are always to the detriment of the weak."
Carlos Méndez – the fan’s lawyer – explained this case could speed up the use of video technology across football.
"It's going to happen, I do not know when, but it will happen,” he told AS.
“Standards can and should be improved. Look at tennis, where Hawk Eye initially had detractors and is now fully installed. If our claim is accepted, it will be applicable at European level and any spectator who is affected by a deception may claim. These technical means exist, but are not made available to football.
“In this last derby you could see a header from Cristiano Ronaldo that seems to have crossed the goal line.
“If you go to the cinema and there is no sound, they give you back your money – this is the same thing. There is a regulation and it has been breached. It is negligence and in your job, and when you are negligent you pay the consequences. That is why we address the claim to the employer (UEFA) and his employee (Clattenburg) as responsible.”
