We cannot ‘tech’ any more Fifa!

Frank Lampard's 'goal' against Germany. Photo: Nick Watts

It could have been the greatest comeback story in World Cup history. England scored twice inside a minute, but the referee missed the equaliser and Germany won 4-1.

The Laws of the Game (see p32) state a goal is scored when ‘the whole of the ball passes over the goal line’. Yet too often incidents like Frank Lampard’s are missed by the officials.

Fifa have always had a stubborn position on technology in football and fear its introduction would break the rhythm of the ‘beautiful’ game.

But former England striker Alan Shearer is one among many who feel the sport needs to be modernised:

“All managers and stars of football are calling for it. Not everyone can be wrong, can they?” (Alan Shearer, June 2010)

According to Fifa, everyone can. The International Football Association Board (IFAB) voted against technology in March.

Fifa president Sepp Blatter, who chaired the meeting in Zurich, said in an interview with Al-Ahram Weekly that football is not a fair game and never will be:

“There is no justice in football. Football is a human game and human beings make mistakes.” (Sepp Blatter, January 2010)

Roy Carroll's unpunished blunder against Tottenham. Photo: Sky TV

Football supporters, however, see technology as a way of making the game fairer.

In a poll of 200 fans from Ireland and England conducted before the Germany match, 83% of respondents voted for technology in football. This number would have been higher if the poll had been taken after the match.

The decision not to award Lampard’s goal has changed the minds of even the most ardent anti-technology supporters such as football analyst Alan Hansen:

“Before I was not an advocate of technology in football, but now I am a convert.” (Alan Hansen, June 2010)

Fifa fear the introduction of technology would take away the ‘human nature‘ of the sport by claiming it would affect the ’universality‘ (same game played everywhere) of football.

Blatter says one of the reasons football is so popular is because it sparks debate among fans over any given incident in a game, for example, the awarding of a penalty.

Yet ex-Irish international Paddy Mulligan says the principles of fair play should not be sidelined by controversy:

“You need talking points, but you need fairness as well.” (Paddy Mulligan, May 2010)

Fifa also state the application of technologies can be ‘very costly, and therefore not applicable on a global level‘. Former Aston Villa manager Brian Little says technology should be applied to top flight football:

“Football at the highest level becomes big business and any mistake has a very high price.” (Brian Little, July 2010)

Irish league manager Alan Matthews too feels greater accuracy in decision-making is required at the top level.

But instead of technology, Matthews says the extra officials behind each goal trialled in last season’s Europa League should be extended to the English Premiership, Champions’ League and international football:

Luis Garcia's 'ghost' goal against Chelsea. Photo: WSJ

“A pair of eyes at either goal is a better alternative than technology.” (Alan Matthews, May 2010)

Eyes though can miss incidents which occur in a split-second, for example, Luis Garcia’s ‘phantom’ goal for Liverpool against Chelsea in the 2005 Champions’ League semi-final.

Such uncertainty from officials in games of that stature is ‘unacceptable‘, according to Irish Independent sports columnist Vincent Hogan, who says the officiating has to be spot on.

“It’s a guessing game by the officials and it’s not good enough.” (Vincent Hogan, May 2010)

Fifa though claim no matter which technology is used, decisions will ultimately be made by humans.

Several experiments have been tried and tested such as having two referees with one in each half and full-time officials, but none of these have been successful.

Although Blatter said refereeing errors would not force Fifa to use video technology, he is still open to the idea of goal-line technology:

“Video evidence, no, but goal-line technology, yes.” (Sepp Blatter, January 2010)

Geoff Hurst's goal v West Germany in 1966. Photo: urbanchristiannews

 
The use of video evidence may not prevent bad refereeing decisions.

Video replays are not always conclusive, as in the case of Geoff Hurst’s goal against West Germany in the 1966 World Cup final.

But Tijs Tummers, secretary of world players’ union FIFPro, claims Fifa are ‘thwarting’ a worldwide demand for technology in the sport:

“There is not a single convincing argument against the use of goal-line technology.” (Tijs Tummers, June 2010)

Referees too are in favour of technology. English official Howard Webb, who refereed the 2010 World Cup final, told reporters that referees would welcome technology if it made their jobs easier:

“I am open-minded to anything that would make us more credible.” (Howard Webb, June 2010)

Technology has helped cut out cheating and made the game fairer in other sports, for instance, the ‘video referee’ in rugby has strengthened the authority of officials. Hawk-Eye in cricket and tennis is another example.

If applied to football, technology could also eliminate confrontations and abuse towards officials. Players, coaches and supporters would respect them more for getting the calls correct.

Hawk-eye in tennis. Photo: davech_tennis

Fifa though remain wary of the extended use of technology. Blatter says if approved, it would lead to every decision being questioned.

Hawk-Eye creator Dr. Paul Hawkins told press his technology would end goal-line disputes in football:

“Goal-line incidents are the only decisions which are entirely definitive and can be provided to the referee within half a second of the incident happening.” (Dr. Paul Hawkins, June 2010)

Another area in football where technology is needed, according to reporter Andrew Jennings (see p9), is inside Fifa headquarters. Jennings says there should be live broadcasts of Fifa meetings, as in parliament, to see how officials arrive at decisions like opposing technology:

“We already have homemade videos of Blatter touring the world, let’s get cameras inside the Fifa house.” (Andrew Jennings, November 2005)

Discussions on goal-line technology are to be re-opened at the next IFAB meeting in Cardiff later this month and, after the uproar at this summer’s World Cup, Blatter admits ‘something has to change‘:

“We will announce something in October or November, because something needs to change.” (Sepp Blatter, June 2010)

(polls)