The standard of officiating in the Premier League is a matter of healthy debate. Managers are becoming more and more frustrated with the standard of refereeing in the Premier League and calls to introduce technology in the game have increased.
There have been too many controversial incidents which have changed matches, for instance: the recent decisions to convert Ashley Young’s dives into penalties for Manchester United.
QPR have been in the thick of things this season when Lee Mason was criticised by manager Mark Hughes for the sending off of Shaun Derry for a tackle on Ashley Young.
However Wigan played Chelsea earlier this month and manager Roberto Martinez claimed they were victims of disgusting decisions as both Chelsea goals seemed to be offside.
Is this the time for goal line technology?
As we know as seasons come and go there are always dubious decisions. Not only does this annoy fans and managers but it costs them games.
We all know that the goal line technology debate in football really caught fire in the game between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United when from 45 yards a Pedro Mendes shot clearly went at least a yard over the line lobbing goalkeeper Roy Carroll. Controversy came when neither the linesmen nor the referee claimed they saw the goal.
In 2007 there was the Under 17’s World Cup in Peru. The FA did different tests during this tournament where they placed a microchip inside a ball and put a sensor in the goal. However this still wasn’t clear enough for Sepp Blatter and by 2008 he started dismissing reports that video technology would be rolled out across the game.
There have been many incidents since then but most recent was in the World Cup Finals 2010. The match was England v Germany – one of the fiercest rivalries in world football. The match finished 4-1 to Germany but wasn’t without controversy. England had just scored to make it 2-1 and from the restart the Three Lions attacked and a Frank Lampard shot hit the underside of the bar before crossing the line. Again neither the linesmen nor the referee saw the goal.
Before it’s too late the FA need to devise a system that works. Many believe that Hawk Eye could be the way forward. This system is already in place in tennis, cricket and snooker and has helped referees and umpires make major decisions. This system was launched in 1999 by Dr Paul Hawkins. Only problem with this is that it is not real time so the game would have to be stopped so officials can review the incident. It would also require six cameras to be erected in the stands costing £250,000.
A study showed that in the Premier League season of 2010-2011 there was a 30% chance of errors in games. Video technology would cut the rate of error significantly and the only disadvantage to this, is that the game would need to be stop and would interrupt the flow.
Since that Frank Lampard goal in the 2010 World Cup when it did or did not cross the line, Sepp Blatter has been opposed to goal line technology. However, he now says that the technology could be in place by the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. This sudden change of view surely has to be welcomed. We’ve been clamouring out for video technology for a long time now and it finally appears as though the right steps are being taken.
Introducing the neat little app that’ll pay you to view content tailored to your interests:
ThisisFutbol.com are seeking new writers to join the team! If you’re passionate about football, drop us a line at “thisisfutbol.com@snack-media.com” to learn more.