UEFA have confirmed Tuesday's Champions League game between Benfica and Juventus will be played without goal-line technology.
Maintenance work at the Estadio da Luz has caused the goal-line system to become "dysfunctional" and there is not enough time for it to be fixed before kick-off at 8pm (UK time). As such, UEFA have decided to allow the game to go ahead without the technology.
UEFA have not confirmed if they will use additional referees to counter the lack of goal-line technology at Benfica's home ground. Fifth and sixth officials - stationed at either goal - were previously used in the Champions League instead of an automated system.
Goal-line technology is used in Portugal's Primeira Liga, but Benfica haven't played at home since October 8 - giving them more than two weeks to make amendments. It's unclear whether it will be fixed before their home fixture against Chaves on Saturday.
"Ahead of the UEFA Champions League match between SL Benfica and Juventus, the home club - without the knowledge of UEFA and UEFA's goal-line technology supplier - commissioned works in the Estadio do SL Benfica, which made the installed goal-line technology system dysfunctional," read a UEFA statement.
"Unfortunately it will not be possible to replace and install a new system in time for the match and therefore the match will go ahead without the use of goal-line technology as per the UEFA Champions League regulations."
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Worryingly, there is a lot riding on Tuesday's game. Benfica will reach the knockout stages of the Champions League if they avoid defeat, dumping Juventus in the process. That means only a win will be enough for the Italians to keep their hopes alive.
Europa League progression is also important. Maccabi Haifa can leapfrog Juventus into third - the Europa League spot - if they avoid defeat to group leaders Paris Saint-Germain at the Parc des Princes on Wednesday and Juventus lose to Benfica.
Goal-line technology is designed never to fail, but even machines make mistakes. The most famous incident came in June 2020 when Sheffield United were not awarded a goal in their Premier League match against Aston Villa at Villa Park, which finished goalless.
The ball looked to have crossed the line and video replays confirmed this was the case. VAR was in use, but referee Michael Oliver decided to trust his watch. Hawk-Eye, the developers of the goal-line technology system, later apologised for the error.
The mistake had huge consequences, as Villa ended up staying up by just a point that season at the expense of Bournemouth. It's also important to note this was the first Premier League game back after the Covid break, with millions of fans tuning in to watch it.
"I think the goalkeeper was in the Holte End when he caught it - or dragged it back," laughed Blades boss Chris Wilder. "My issue is obviously one of frustration. Seven cameras haven't picked it up - the most technical league in the world - everything we see at every angle and it hasn't seen a goal. That is disappointing from our point of view."
