Big Question: Should FIFA use Goal-Line Technology at the World Cup?

I see absolutely no reason to not utilize the available technology – it wouldn’t have to replace the refs, just act as a backup in case of bad calls.

I agree with Ilya. I don’t really understand why you’d *not* use it.

I think FIFA should allow the use of instant replay, at least at important competitions like the World Cup. It’s a shame when a good goal (as shown in limitless TV replays) is not ruled as valid by the referee. Besides, American football and other sports already use it, and it seems helpful.

The missed goal in the France game was horrendous. Plus, I was rooting for France.

Nevertheless, I worry what the effect on the flow of games would be if the technology was implemented. If it really needed no human input, and was shown to be nearly flawless, maybe.

Otherwise, I agree with Barthez, who says that the ryhthm of the game may suffer. It’s a trade-off of course.

N.B.: I can’t believe I said, “I agree with Barthez.” Goodness.

I theenk that it shood be used only eef it score goal for Italia but not if take goal away from Italia.

Italia goin to ween the coppa.

I touched on this a while back and my mind hasn’t changed that much. A go slow approach is probably the best thing for FIFA and until they’re comfortable with the technology they shouldn’t use it. The chip balls weren’t reliable enough and I know they’re thinking of even embedding chips in shin guards to try and track offsides! Scary. O.o

But the goal cameras could definitely help decide a close goal. The officials are already linked via radio, so having the 4th official with a replay monitor could work so long as it was only used rarely – ie a close goal like in the France match. That’s the key is how this would impact the flow of your average match. How often would this have been used – if only a few times, then it’s probably worth doing. Trying to expand the use of a replay to offsides would be used too often and would likely slow things down significantly. So goal replays – sure allow a limited replay. Offsides – not so much.

Goal-line and video technology: its bound to happen sooner or later. These advances have never stopped the Americans from using them for American football or basketball games.

Its the dinosaurs of fooball (Yes you, Sepp Blatter and company) who are impeding the progress of a fairer game of football. Maradona’s “Hand of God” would have never been allowed, nor would Geoff Hurst’s “under the crossbar” goal. Sure human error adds to the drama of the game, but try telling that to those who have suffered as a result.

There will come a day when referees or assistants get assassinated for their errors of judgement (due to the high stakes of the game) and video technology will then be forced into action.

you are right, there is a trade-off but it’s called evolution.

all other sports have evolved with technology.
soccer athletes has taken full advantage of all other progressive technology like nutrition, training, gear, fields, media….on and on. but regarding this soccer has been an albatross.

it is time for soccer to shake off the traditionalist protectionism and move ahead.

I firmly believe that it is time to let go and allow this game to evolve along with life. it is after all a game of youth and is rich with ideas.

adjustments will be made to compensate for the flow, but it has happened in other sports, and we see successes and advancements in that today.

I think they should use such technology to improve the game. And maybe as more of a novelty idea, they could have an Ice Hockey style siren wailing away with each successful goal. Or even some extra refs each side to wave flags upon a successful entry.

…yes, I am being sarcastic.

Is FIFA Sensor Ready?

There is discussion flying around whether FIFA should use technology to determine or help goal decisions. I don’t think the discussion should revolve around whether FIFA is going to use the technology but it’s more of when?

Talks about …

Why FIFA has yet to create such a system is beyond me. I mean this would not only confirm those “iffy” goals but it would certainly make it easier for referees who may or may not be at the right spot to view the goal. That match between France and Germany is an excellent example of why we need this type of system. Cameras from different views made it seem the ball went in and didn’t go in…not very reliable. A system that is in the net that can immediately confirm a goal or no goal with certainty is a God sent gift.

Yeah, I see consistent bickering
and advocating of this issue as
usually because the so called
traditional stronghold in
football receives a bad call
against them. If the same happens
to an underdog or inferior team,
things are quickly swept under
the carpet or dismissed with
other bias excuse.

So, why change the plan now as it
may backfire against your usual
favourite euro or latin ?

Silly!

so what: BINGO!!!

I will reiterate what has been
said in another similar thread
on this site. How about the game
btw Togo and Swissy ? There was
a clear and unambiguous foul in
the penalty box against Togo when
Adebayor was brought down by a
“back” swinging leg from the
Swiss defender which took
Adebayor out ? It was even much
clearer in the replay than the
claimed “goal” in SK-France
match.

Why wasn’t a penalty awarded to
Togo ? And honestly do yu think
it needs better video technology
to make a fair call on that one?

Speaking of fairness ? To what
country are you guys talking
about for fairness sake!

Yes, absolutely. It’s clear we need a beeping ball.

poor france! they couldn’t have won..

A lot of the refrees/and linesmen are a hindrance to the sport.There are so much blatant bad decisions it makes one wonder.Is it fair to a player to wait four years and then be suspended for taking a penalty kick before the whistle?Then FIFA does not overturn the decision !!There must be somemeans of overturning those bad decisions

Technology is tiresome.
The Stanley Cup had this useless moment of endless review, watching people in ties on phones murmuring for nothing.
It was boring and I feel like reminding someone it is only a game.
Takes the fun out of the whole preceding.

Americans love that bullshit.
Special teams for tiddlywinks.
Play on I say.
Nobody is saying it so I will.
No to technology.

definitely not. thats part of the charm of the sport… the outcome relies not only on player skill, but luck. scoring goals has a large element of luck to it anyway, and keeping it classic adds another layer of drama. football is all about upsets, and its by far the sport thats the most like its original version out of the main big sports.

I think more technology will prove irresistable to FIFA sooner or later, but regardless of what is put into place, there will always be controversial goals. Machines can be rigged as easily as referees can be bought.

It’s the world’s game, it has to be fair, and technology will promote this.

Tough for me to argue either way as my team (Spain) got screwed by bad refereeing in the last cup.
However, although I honestly wish I could go back in time and reverse the calls made, I think that technology such as this would negatively transform the game. Football is not like american football, where the natural pauses in the game allow for easy use of technology: it is this sense of uncertainty, the inevitable suspense and drama that comes from a human being making the calls on the field that makes football such a beautiful sport.
Indeed, although I don’t want the world cup to turn into the super bowl, I do think that the technology will become irresistable, as Roland said.

I am not for technology all over the place but definetly for a simple sensor that would “bip” in case on the ball crossing the line, not breaks needed. Anyway, all of you forgot to mention that france was not given a goal because the referee called a previous fault so there is no room for polemic here.

I just think there needs to be a few more assistant refs available so it’s not left alone to one guy’s decision. Technology would be helpful as well to discern between the actual goals and the saves. It would probably also give a greater sense of credibility to the game.

Would you rather doubt a man or doubt a microchip? Does your computer never had any bugs? Of course Mac and Linux users will say no to this, but what about Microsoft users?

Imagine if the technology says your team didn’t score but the TV replay shows the ball went in… every technology is bound to make mistakes.

I say it would be harder for me to accept a chip mistake than to accept a human mistake. Think about it.

absolutely.

we also saw another close call in the argentina – ivory coast match.

this has to be implemented next cup!

As someone that works with technology for a living, I’m inclined to say yes, of course; but as a fan of the game, I think the sport is somehow diminished by removing the human element. Let’s face it, part the fun of being a fan is to agonize questionable calls against us or praise them when their for us. The beauty of the game is in it’s simplicity, so that should be maintained at all costs. If it were to be implemented, how long would it be before instant-replay is considered as a means of ensuring the most accurate refereeing? I say, leave it as it is, and ensure that refs have the best possible training.

I completly agree that FIFA should start to use instant replay. However, they should only beable to use it for discrepancies like in the France match, only to determine if a ball crosses the line or not. If instant replay starts to be used beyond that then it will mess up the flow of the game. Referees mistakes beyond that are just part of the game. There is also no need for technology like a chip in the ball. They just need someone up in a booth who can look at the instant replay.

To the new technology being tested at the recent world youth championship, Sepp Blatter remarked (paraphrasing): Checking for a goal is fine, but we should not let the technology invade too much of the sport, as we would want to preserve the drama created by incorrect referee decisions.

WHAT! HOW! I don’t get it. If there is a way to encourage fair play, and to respect the rules of the game he purports to uphold, I would hope that it would be thoroughly explored. Whether he realizes this or not, he is backing a “scandal” of his own, willfully turning his back on erroneous decisions because they create drama????? I thought he was leading a football association not directing a soap opera.

Delays could be avoided by the ref being linked up to a pda device that beeps for offside, goals, and even levels of force absorbed by a player from a tackle to guage if a contrast was a foul or a “Dive.” The “electronic eye” in tennis also had to overcome bugs, but they were temporary. All tech becomes stable over time. (Would you want a ref to remove his glasses before the world cup final… then don’t take away these “glasses” either.) Of course nothing is 100%… but the reality is that it will be better than an unaided human agent an average of 15 meters away from an on field event! Given this, it is FIFA’s RESPONSIBILITY to implement the technology once it is feasible.

The beauty of soccer IS soccer… If players know that their skill will be rewarded with increasing consistency, they will be even more motivated… The more we can preserve the integrity of the game, the longer it will bring enjoyment and opportunity to many! BRING IN THE TECHNOLOGY!!!!!

Am currently doing a project on technology in fooball and i would appreciate it if you can take part in my quick questionnaire. jus click on the link below. thanks

http://express.perseus.com/perseus/surveys/1734848031/67b8d6e3.htm

The technology is certainly on its way. See our web site – http://www.motram.com and it will happen sooner or later. The speed of the game nowadays is such that the ref needs every help he can get. Our device reports only to him; it does not stop play; only he knows the call. May not be perfect – YET! But it is consistent no variation from ref to ref.
It also keeps track of the substitutes, the clock (no more time wasting) and the number of yellow cards given out (certainly needed at these Finals – if not just for English Ref, Graham Poll).

Its coming.

I think techs is needed to assist referees in hard situations on games.

See that we all call “technology” to something as trivial as the way supermarket triggers an alarm when someone try to stole a candy (more precise, but almost the same).

I would go to the camera solution rather than the chip thing.

Well positioned cameras could help to solve those not fair situations where we at home actually see the ball is going goal, but referee doesnt give it to the score.

Cameras is the solution, and a new Replay Referee to answer to any of the field referee, main one, and line ones, by intercom, almost instantly if a doubly play arise…

“Does the ball crossed the line?”

“Did exist the faul as penalty or the player simulated it?”

“Was it Off-Side?”

Well positioned cams, no more than 4 (2 in both goal tubes, and 2 in the oposite side of each lineman).

The off-side cams, would stay 1 at the ball and the other at the last man, the defender or the forewarder.

With some thought to develop this idea, and money of course, which FIFA surely has :P it could be at least tested.

And in tournaments as World Cup, something like this should be implemented.

And going further, they should make more cristal the way they arrange the groups of teams.

I have the feeling there is 2 teams that are ALWAYS suspiciously lucky in that arragement… the LOCAL team… and BRAZIL. :/

Well we all know that this WONT change a thing… but I had the need to express someway.

And remember… If Germany can’t beat Argentina in the field, stay alert to some referee’s help to Germany… like a penalty or something.

About Brazil, well u just have to see its group… and its 1st match of the 2nd round.

Regards!

Change and what´s new is too often something to be feared about. Especially by a large beaurocratic organisation such as FIFA, which moves very slow in fact. It seems they´re afraid to loose some kind of “control” over the whole “system” (I´ll ask Nero to enlighten us further). The arguments they present against technology seems rather …sad and even more childish. Example: they say that even with technology, there is still no certainty the right decission has been made. Very true. So? At least your chances of making the right and fair decision (ever heard of “fair play” by the way?! only applied to players?!) is a heck of a lot better. Perfection does not exist. I´m personally more in favour of video monitoring less so of chips, to me the first makes much more sense in many ways.
Technology induced over-rulings should remain to a minimum but be present in important decissions. I find relief in being certain that sooner rather than later it will be implemented due to the logical public pressure. Organisations and those ruling them can be too proud too. Humbble up and get real. …oh, and did you know they severely sanction clubs that try new technology behind closed doors? Again: sad.

“Poor” Zidane. …so I guess video replay has now been implemented after all.
What´s next? Perhaps they´ll start using directional microphones as to give red cards to those players that utter big provocatory words.