The biggest non-transfer related news of the month seems to be FIFA’s final acceptance of goal-line technology, and it seems like Sepp Blatter has seen sense. As controversial incidents stacked up it was surely just a matter of time before FIFA gave into the demands of the majority of football fans worldwide.
Personally for me it cannot come quickly enough, I have seen goals not given plenty of times when really they should have been. The most recent example is Clint Hill’s header in QPR’s 2-1 loss away at Bolton, which was clearly over the line, as television cameras confirmed shortly after. The question is, if the R’s had gone down, would it of been right for them to have felt aggrieved? The financial implications of relegation to the championship are well documented, and although the relegated clubs receive the ‘parachute payment’, many now argue that this does not help the clubs enough, as they may find it much more difficult to get rid of higher paid players.
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Anyway back to the main point, goal-line technology should be seen as a positive thing. There is an argument that it may lesser the beautiful game. Some people say that, talking about crucial incidents is part and parcel of the game. Talking about the game would still not be an issue for the punters, as goal-line difference is the only technology coming into the game. Punters will still be able to bicker over the other issues in the game. Goal-line technology will just ensure that all goals that are meant to be goals are given.
FIFA have given the go-ahead for two types of goal-line technology, Hawkeye, a system used in cricket and tennis, which is a well know, well trusted system. The alternative being Goalref, a system I’ve never heard of, however, as FIFA have accepted it, the system must be as highly reliable as Hawkeye is. It will stop the debate over whether it was over the line or not, this is a scenario that occurs regularly, Juan Mata’s shot vs Tottenham and Andy Carroll’s header vs Chelsea in the FA Cup this season are prime examples. This may give some fans more time to concentrate on where their teams actually went wrong, rather than blame the referee and the other officials who are just trying to do their jobs.
In conclusion, I cannot wait to see the impact of goal-line technology on football, I’m sure it will bring less pressure on referees and in turn, enable them to concentrate on making the correct decisions. Bring on the 2012/2013 season!
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