[jayp]

Brazil sports tribunal alters match result

SAO PAULO, Brazil (AP) - A sports tribunal in Brazil changed the result of a match played two weeks ago after analyzing television images that showed the referee erred by not allowing a goal.

Central de Caruaru originally beat Vera Cruz 2-1 in the first-division Pernambuco state championship on March 18, but on Tuesday the state's sports tribunal altered the result to a 2-2 draw because referee Wilson de Souza failed to validate an 84th-minute goal by Vera Cruz.

Vera Cruz midfielder Rivelino scored with a long-range shot that sailed over the goalkeeper and went into the goal, but the ball went through a tear in the net and ended up resting behind the goal, on the outside.

Souza, a FIFA referee, apparently did not see the ball going in, and indicated a goal kick.

Vera Cruz players complained vociferously at the time, but Souza stuck to his original call.

The sports tribunal used television replays to render its decision, which dropped Central from second to third place in the standings. Vera Cruz remained in fifth despite the new result.

Vera Cruz directors said they will appeal.

"I've never seen a result being changed because of a mistake by the referee," Central president Ronaldo Ferreira de Lima told local media.