Alison Keogh on umpiring: ‘Dad helped me realise it’s okay to make mistakes’

“It’s probably the most high profile, important and complex video referral I have encountered personally,” recalls Alison Keogh of the minutes-long debate which overshadowed the end to last summer’s enthralling EuroHockey men’s final. “When you combine all three, it impacted the whole situation.”

The clash between England and eventual winners the Netherlands seemed to be going to the wire as Paul Revington’s side chased the game and thought they had equalised late on in their first final since 2009. Then came the dialogue between umpire and VU as the goal flirted between been given, overruled and handed a stroke.

“Yes it was complex, yes it was high pressure, but if it were to happen again,” adds Keogh, “it’s thinking about what you are going to do about it.”