Surely a matter of time?

It has long been the discussion of football fans for years, yet we still ask ourselves the same questions every weekend. It takes a football fan with even the most basic knowledge of the game to realise that technology within football needs to be implemented in some form. However opinions tend to vary as to what extent it should be introduced into the game.

It all kick started in January 2005 when Pedro Mendes’ evidently legitimate ‘goal’ in the dying minutes vs Manchester United was so far over the line that you could see it from space, yet it was somehow missed by the linesman, essentially robbing Spurs of the victory. The debate once again ignited in the same year when Luis Garcia’s ‘ghost goal’ was given by the referee which sparked huge controversy as to whether it had crossed the line or not. This goal proved to be crucial as it was the goal that sent Liverpool to the Champions League final. Since then, there have been several replica incidents which have occurred such as David Healy’s disallowed goal in the dying minutes for Fulham against Middlesbrough in 2007, which was clearly over the line. Freddie Sears’ shot for Crystal Palace in 2009 which hit the stanchion (bar/post) at the back of the goal and came back out was remarkably not given. Famously, Frank Lampard’s disallowed goal vs Germany which was evidently over the line was ruled out, and once again caused huge controversy and began the huge and collective belief that goal-line technology needed to be introduced to deal with such incidents.

The question is, to what extent should technology be introduced into football? It’s a question that has varied opinions. For me personally, I feel that it should be used to deal with goal-line disputes and nothing else as I believe that by using it for all aspects of the game destroys the pace of the game. Many would argue that by even introducing it to deal with goal-line disputes could also essentially have a damning effect on the pace of the game as it could be taken advantage of to disrupt the rhythm of the game for self benefit. Therefore the way in which to make both parties happy is by having an instantaneous technological response into the referee’s earpiece to signal whether the ball has crossed the line or not, therefore not disrupting the flow of the game and helping the referee come towards the correct decision. It’s quite simple to introduce and there is the sufficient knowledge and tools to create it. Surely this can only be seen as a positive improvement to the game?

You will see examples of technology in all the other big sports in this country. Take a look at rugby for example. They have the option of video referrals for referees who are unsure of whether to award a try or not which goes a long way to helping produce the right outcome and doesn’t disrupt the flow of the game. Tennis is another example with their hawk-eye system which is currently in place. Each player has the opportunity to challenge calls made by the umpire. Add to this Cricket, who have video referrals for umpires unsure as to whether the batsmen is out or not. Evidently they are different ways of using the technology but they have all managed to improve their sport with the introduction of technology. It suggests that football is light years behind in this sense and that it needs to catch up with everyone else.

Moving back to football, it seems embedded in every football fan to berate the referee and linesmen every week, and I’m no exception to the rule. However, I feel that referees are prone to human error, and that technology in goal line situations is needed to help them out and essentially protect them in these situations. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not sympathising with the referees here, but merely emphasising my point. One downside would be that we wouldn’t be able to abuse referees and linesmen on a Saturday afternoon. I for one wouldn’t know what to do with myself!

All joking aside, this brings me to the extra officials behind the goal. Can someone enlighten me as to an instance where they have been of any use whatsoever? If anything, they just seem to get in the way. I cannot count the numerous times in which an official behind the goal has cocked up a decision despite being a few yards from the incident. It seems that UEFA and FIFA are giving some people the opportunity to watch matches for free and disguising them in uniform. If this is the answer, then what is the question?! In my opinion, the sooner we are rid of them, the better.

On another note, you will find that a lot of people will make the valid suggestion that by introducing technology, it removes the fun of discussing and arguing about refereeing decisions. Without a doubt, it annoys you greatly when your team is on the receiving end of bad decisions but it does make you think that there would be a lot less to talk about if there wasn’t human error in football. But with improvements come sacrifices, and I feel that we need to sacrifice this in order to help improve and update the beautiful game into the modern era. We have the options and possibilities to take advantage, we can’t continue to hold back.

Mind you, it seems as if there is positive movement in relation to achieving this with Sepp Blatter (FIFA president) finally changing his stance on the matter. From saying ”it is part of the human nature of our sport” after Frank Lampard’s disallowed goal in 2010 to saying ”goal-line technology is a necessity” after the Euro 2012 game between between England and Ukraine in which Ukraine were denied a goal (interestingly Blatter changes tune when England get the rub of the green, but I won’t go into that). With the possibility of Sepp Blatter’s somewhat controversial tenure as FIFA president coming to a close, it is encouraging to see that he has finally warmed to the idea. The question is, will the new president have the same views? With all the pressure to push technology into football, I can only see the new president having one solution, and that’s to go ahead with it. With goal-line technology soon to be tested in the Premier League, it looks like football is moving ever so close to getting the much needed makeover it so dearly needs.

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