Peter Prendergast backs no-goal ruling in Mount Pleasant-Portmore JPL semi-final

Former FIFA referee Peter Prendergast says referee Akito Nicholson was right to cancel a disputed goal during Sunday's Jamaica Premier League semi-final between Mount Pleasant FA and Portmore United at the National Stadium.

The incident came in the 69th minute, when Portmore striker Cory Burke directed the ball toward Mount Pleasant's net. Nicholson initially indicated that a goal had been scored, but the decision was later changed after officials determined the ball had not fully gone over the line.

Speaking Monday with Garfield Jones on Fame 95 FM's Sports Grill, Prendergast said the assistant referee would normally be the official best placed to confirm whether the entire ball had crossed. He explained that this can be signalled by raising the flag and moving quickly, or, where the goal is obvious, by sprinting upfield without using the flag.

According to Prendergast, Nicholson appeared to believe from his own position that the ball may have gone in, but still needed confirmation. When he saw the assistant referee moving up the field, he interpreted that movement as confirmation of a goal. Prendergast said the confusion arose because the assistant referee was reportedly running with the defending players, not signalling that the ball had crossed the line.

After the officials discussed the play, Prendergast said they were satisfied from what they had seen that the ball had not completely crossed. He described the sequence as untidy in appearance but said the final decision was the correct one.

The Professional Football Jamaica Limited also announced changes for Wednesday's return-leg semi-final matches. In a statement issued Tuesday, the PFJL said only the grandstand would be opened to spectators after operational reviews and consultations with event management, safety, security, broadcast and venue partners. The bleachers will remain closed, with spectators placed in the grandstand to improve crowd control, security, broadcast presentation and the overall match-day experience.