Another meeting involving the world’s football governing body and once again, another own goal. At a high-profile conference in Zurich, FIFA president Sepp Blatter and his fellow officials from FIFA have rejected the calls from many, both inside and outside of the game for goal-line technology. I personally hope that this won’t come back to haunt them.
The need for video technology in football is of essential importance, especially as we have the technology to do it. It is a debate that has raged on for nearly five years and is not set to continue. Maybe there hasn’t been enough corporation from other football governing bodies, but whatever the outcome, this was the chance for FIFA to show their authority and once again, they have failed to deliver.
Jerome Valcke, FIFA’s general secretary said that “Technology should not enter into the game, it was a clear statement made by the majority of the IFAB.” “Let’s keep the game of football as it is.” So, if the World Cup in South Africa is plagued by controversial decisions, then who do blame. It could well be another tricky summer for officials and linesman, quite possibly on the run from angry football associations. The World Cup in Germany suffered from this. Graham Poll could have avoided human error, when deciding to give Josip Simunic three yellow cards, during the Croatia v Australia group match. Then the Australians were knocked out by Italy, due to a blatant stoppage time dive from left-back, Fabio Grosso.
Recently, Ireland were robbed of a place at the 2010 finals by Thierry Henry’s ‘Hand of God,’ in the World Cup play-off in Paris and just today, Birmingham’s Liam Ridgewell was denied a blatant goal in Birmingham’s 2-0 FA Cup 6th round defeat at penniless Portsmouth. His header was clearly shown over the line by ITV cameras, before David James could block the shot. Ironically, this came just hours after the frustrating meeting in Zurich. Talk about stupidity.
Technology works in so many other sports. Both Rugby Union and Rugby League have embraced the device with winning results. Cricket’s success of the 3rd umpire has made decisions for dodgy dismissals a thing of the past and the game of Tennis has been advanced by the introduction of Hawk-Eye on some critical points. Football has been very slow to possibly embrace the technology and now, it has ruled it out altogether is very disappointing.
FIFA did say that they would consider extra officials behind the goal-line, a feature that has been trialled with the UEFA Europa League this season. However, having watched many Europa League games this season, I have branded this as a spectacular failure by UEFA. Consequently, it wouldn’t surprise me if FIFA’s incompetence would mean these feature would be installed into competitive games.
Maybe it is time for associations like the FA and UEFA to break away from Blatter’s viewpoint and trial technology. What is for sure, technology in football is needed and would make the game a better place. Sadly, after today’s meeting, it looks like we are even further away from this proposal.
It seemed to be quite a part of the Olympic games, too..especially, in figure skating.
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