(Image Source: Wikimedia Commons)
BY SCOTT MALONE
ANCHOR JIM FLINK
Soccer is hopping on the instant replay train. FIFA announced Tuesday it would implement goal-line technology at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. But it’s been a rather one-sided argument - and that’s because of this.
In the 2010 World Cup, this shot by England’s Frank Lampard against Germany hit the crossbar, and replays show it clearly came down across the goal-line, but the referee did not call it a goal. (Via BBC)
That goal would have tied the game up. Instead, England went on to lose.
And again in a Euro 2012 game between England and the Ukraine, this time with the Three Lions getting off lucky. (Via Business Insider)
The decision was expected once FIFA’s rulemaking panel decided last year to approve goal-line technology in competitive matches, and it was first used in December’s Club World Cup in Japan.
But a writer for the Times of India points out while FIFA says the goal-line technology was, quote “successful,” “there were no incidents where it had to be used [in the Club World Cup].”
FIFA says it is considering several systems for the World Cup, including the two used in Japan.
The first system, called HawkEye, relies on a web of cameras and is used in both tennis and cricket. The second is called GoalRef, and it uses a low-frequency magnetic field around the goal combined with a microchip inside the ball. (Via Sky News)
Both systems send the results to the referee in less than one second - in line with FIFA’s requirements. FIFA is also reportedly considering a pair of German systems as well, and will announce the winning provider in April. But don’t worry football purists: goal-line technology will not always have the final say.
FIFA says on its website the objective of goal-line technology “is not to replace the role of the officials, but rather to support them in their decision-making.”
That idea sounds an awful lot like Major League Baseball’s policy - allowing umpires to still have the final say, but with support from instant replay. Yet since baseball brought instant replay up to bat, it has faced calls to eliminate the so-called “human element” altogether, and to make replay available to managers in the form of challenges - like in the NFL. So what’s stopping that from happening in soccer?
CNN spoke with Michel Platini the president of UEFA - the governing body of European football. He has not implemented it in his body’s competitions because of exactly that reason, saying... “Where does it stop?” He also adds....
“I am against technology coming into force to actually make decisions. It invades every single area. If tomorrow someone handballs it on the line and the referee doesn’t see it, what then?”
But as FIFA said: they’re implementing it to help support the referees in making their decisions, not making it for them. And a writer for Yahoo! Sports believes Platini needs to embrace the technology.
“It’s now 2013, and we shouldn’t have to worry about teams incorrectly being awarded or not given goals. Football is unique in that a single tally can mean the difference between a championship and second place … Every goal decision should and must be correct.”
FIFA also says it is implementing the technology this summer in the Confederations Cup.
(Image Source: Wikimedia Commons)
BY SCOTT MALONE
ANCHOR JIM FLINK
Soccer is hopping on the instant replay train. FIFA announced Tuesday it would implement goal-line technology at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. But it’s been a rather one-sided argument - and that’s because of this.
In the 2010 World Cup, this shot by England’s Frank Lampard against Germany hit the crossbar, and replays show it clearly came down across the goal-line, but the referee did not call it a goal. (Via BBC)
That goal would have tied the game up. Instead, England went on to lose.
And again in a Euro 2012 game between England and the Ukraine, this time with the Three Lions getting off lucky. (Via Business Insider)
The decision was expected once FIFA’s rulemaking panel decided last year to approve goal-line technology in competitive matches, and it was first used in December’s Club World Cup in Japan.
But a writer for the Times of India points out while FIFA says the goal-line technology was, quote “successful,” “there were no incidents where it had to be used [in the Club World Cup].”
FIFA says it is considering several systems for the World Cup, including the two used in Japan.
The first system, called HawkEye, relies on a web of cameras and is used in both tennis and cricket. The second is called GoalRef, and it uses a low-frequency magnetic field around the goal combined with a microchip inside the ball. (Via Sky News)
Both systems send the results to the referee in less than one second - in line with FIFA’s requirements. FIFA is also reportedly considering a pair of German systems as well, and will announce the winning provider in April. But don’t worry football purists: goal-line technology will not always have the final say.
FIFA says on its website the objective of goal-line technology “is not to replace the role of the officials, but rather to support them in their decision-making.”
That idea sounds an awful lot like Major League Baseball’s policy - allowing umpires to still have the final say, but with support from instant replay. Yet since baseball brought instant replay up to bat, it has faced calls to eliminate the so-called “human element” altogether, and to make replay available to managers in the form of challenges - like in the NFL. So what’s stopping that from happening in soccer?
CNN spoke with Michel Platini the president of UEFA - the governing body of European football. He has not implemented it in his body’s competitions because of exactly that reason, saying... “Where does it stop?” He also adds....
“I am against technology coming into force to actually make decisions. It invades every single area. If tomorrow someone handballs it on the line and the referee doesn’t see it, what then?”
But as FIFA said: they’re implementing it to help support the referees in making their decisions, not making it for them. And a writer for Yahoo! Sports believes Platini needs to embrace the technology.
“It’s now 2013, and we shouldn’t have to worry about teams incorrectly being awarded or not given goals. Football is unique in that a single tally can mean the difference between a championship and second place … Every goal decision should and must be correct.”
FIFA also says it is implementing the technology this summer in the Confederations Cup.
