FIFA World Cup 2010: Aftermath of referee’s wrong goal decisions have compelled FIFA to consider Goal-line Technology in world cup 2014
The world cup 2010 in South Africa has thrown up many controversies, such as the Jabulani, number of needless red cards but still the contentious goals is what takes the cake.
Now once again it’s the use of technology in the sport that is on top of the agenda, FIFA have finally said that this world cup will be the last one under the current refereeing system.
Jerome Valcke the General Secretary of FIFA said that when the TV replays showed Lampard’s goal was almost 2 feet over the line, it was an embarrassing day for the organizers of the world cup, Valcke said that changes will definitely be in place before the next world cup that takes places in Brazil.
The FIFA official said that it was a clear goal seen by the world; however, missed by the referee, that has put immense pressure on FIFA to finally take action accordingly. He also said that the option of 2 extra referees positioned on the goal line is also being considered. The new system was used in Europa league last season, was actually quite successful, and is set to be used in champion’s league in 2010-11 seasons.
Valcke said that FIFA would observe the deployment of extra officials on the goal line and see if it benefits the main referee to have extra eyes on the goal line.
FIFA officials reiterated that this surely is the last world cup under the current Referee system, the comments from General Secretary of FIFI can be viewed as a change in stance from FIFA, as far as changes in the game are concerned. International football association board’s decision earlier in March to categorically deny the use of goal line technology or any other Referee aids suggested that FIFA would not budge, but number of dubious goals in the world cup is set to force their hand.
Valcke added that the game has changed to a great degree in modern day, the players are much faster and stronger, which makes it harder for middle aged referees to catch up and keep an eye on everything going around.
He went on to say that, the style of football has also changed significantly, the ball flies to the goal from distance more regularly than it used to.
Sepp Blatter the FIFA president has time and again refrained from saying yes to introducing the use of technology in the game, especially the goal-line technology that he believes is not something that would complement the game. He believes the element of human error is what makes the game what it is.
There has also been the notion that the game should be same at all levels, and if technology is used at the higher levels, obviously at lower leagues the standard of the game will change.
Still the Lampard goal against Germany followed by Tevez’s off side goal the same day against Mexico, has prompted FIFA and Sep Blatter to change their point of view and finally start considering the use of Technology.
The issue is to be discussed at the next meeting of IFAB (the rule making body of football), the meeting is to be held on 21st of July and the possibility of Technology use in the game will be discussed at length.
However, Valcke insisted that no concrete decision can come from that meeting, until FIFA decide to take up the matter which will be not before October.
Use of technology has been beneficial to many sports in recent times, such as cricket, Tennis, Rugby and Field hockey, so there is no logical reason as to why football should be any different, and if it helps the game then why not.
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