Time for technology?

22nd April 2012

After Chelsea's controversial second goal against Tottenham on Sunday, surely it's time for goal line technology to be put in place. Referees need help when being put into a tricky situation and the use of technology will eliminate any mistakes made by the referees in the modern day game. The use of technology will also add an element of fairness into the game, whilst also ensuring that the referees have made the correct decision when it comes to one of these incidents. Time and time again, a massive debate goes on after a controversial goal has been scored, and surely it’s the right time to get rid of all these arguments. But the question is, why hasn’t technology in the modern game been introduced? And why are FIFA continuously letting these dubious incidents occur without doing anything about it!?


Juan Mata's goal on the weekend has resparked the ongoing
'technology in football' debate

For me, technology has to be called in as soon as possible. The game is spiralling out of control and teams are suffering as a result of being on the wrong end of these decisions. In addition, all the blame is being put on the referees and linesman which is unfair on them when it comes to decisions like Chelsea's second goal against Tottenham on the weekend. The 'passion' from the fans has even extended to the point where match officials are receiving death threats, and for me, this is just sick and proof that the football world is crying out for technology. Viewers have to understand that the referees are human and entitled to their own opinion, as well as not being beneficial of replays that are available to the viewers. If viewers are allowed to see these replays, why aren't referees? 

But incidents like Juan Mata's goal on Saturday are not one off occurrences. Teams have suffered badly in the past, and there are two other incidents that spring to mind which have affected teams to a massive degree in the past. 



Apparently, that's not a goal.....



Firstly, Man United vs Tottenham at Old Trafford, 2005. It’s the 89^th minute and the game is fizzling out towards a draw. Suddenly, Pedro Mendes picks the ball up on the half way line and goes for an audacious effort, which looks more than comfortable for United keeper, Roy Carroll. However, the ball squirms out of the hands of Carroll and bounces at least half a metre over the goal line, before a desperate dive by Carroll grabs the ball and sweeps it away from the United goal. Even though the ball is clearly over the line, the referee doesn’t give it as he is at the half way line where the shot was taken. If technology was introduced the referee (clattenburg) could’ve referred to technology in order to make the correct decision. However, without the use of technology, in consequence that wrong decision cost Tottenham the game and although it was only 2 dropped points; these dropped points could’ve been costly in terms of league position at the end of the season.

This dodgy decision potentially cost England a place in the Last
 8 of the 2010 World Cup

Fast forward to The 2010 World Cup last 16, where Germany meet England in a mouth watering tie that would be watched by eager eyes all around the world. Germany surge into a 2-0 lead, before Matthew Upson brought one back for the three Lions. Almost immediately from the restart, Lampard picks the ball up and lobs the ball over stranded Germany keeper Manuel Neuer, using good use of the bar on the way in. The ball bounces down off the bar, at least half a metre over the line and then into the arms of the fortunate German keeper. But the referee doesn't give it, despite heavy protests from the England players. Although Germany went on to romp away with an emphatic 4-1 victory, the goal could've brought the teams on level terms and would've given a shift of momentum to the 3 lions. However England were led to rue their misfortune, knowing that the decision had potentially cost them a win over their great rivals and a spot in the last 8 of the World Cup.

But where can the line be drawn? In tennis and cricket the sport is benefiting from the use of technology, being allowed 3 reviews so replays can be used to effectively challenge the umpire’s decision. I think a similar type of review system should be imported into the football world, for major decisions such as penalty decisions, red cards, offside’s or dubious goal line incidents. If the same sort of technology was transferred from the tennis and cricket worlds to the football world, it'll eliminate controversy and ensure the correct decisions have been made. This will make the game fair and ensure every team has accessibility to the benefits of technology, and in my opinion, would be a step forward in the right direction in terms of world football.