Watch astonishing FA Cup ghost goal as linesman appears to fall victim to ‘surreal’ optical illusion

PETERBOROUGH United were left miffed when they were denied a clear goal in their game against Newport County.

The Posh travelled to South Wales to face off against the League Two side.

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At 2-1 down, they were awarded a corner which was swung in by Jack Sparkes.

The ball appeared to loop all the way into the net, although some Peterborough players did not celebrate.

However, some seemed to think it was in – and ran to the corner flag to congratulate Sparkes.

But referee Stephen Martin wasn’t convinced and consulted his linesman.

Incredibly, the officials deemed that the ball was headed out of play before it made its way into the net through a hole in the netting.

Later, Peterborough United’s social media shared video of the ghost goal that showed the ball clearly crossing the line.

They amusingly captioned the video: “Well…”

Peterborough chief Darragh MacAnthony was fuming with officials for missing the goal.

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He wrote on social media: “Multiple officials missed this clear goal yesterday. That nonsense cant happen in our game in 2024 anytime ever.”

Manager Darren Ferguson was equally as miffed and said it was a “surreal” moment when the goal wasn’t given.

“It’s a goal. The footage has showed that clearly. There’s good coverage of it to show it’s a goal,” he said.

“I think I was the same as everyone in the stadium as it was a bit surreal and everyone sort of stopped like someone had pressed the pause button. Then we started celebrating.”

The goal was the reverse of a phantom goal at Watford back in 2008.

Back then, the ball went towards the touchline wide of the Hornets’ goal before now-Premier League ref Stuart Attwell consulted his assistant Nigel Bannister.

Attwell then awarded a goal to visitors Reading despite the ball going nowhere near the goal, in a match that ended in a 2-2 draw.

Luckily for Peterborough, the mistake on this occasion didn’t change the outcome of the match.

They ran out 4-2 winners, and will play in the FA Cup second round against Notts County.