There is discussion flying around whether FIFA should use technology to determine or help goal decisions. I don’t think the discussion should revolve around whether FIFA is going to use the technology but it’s more of when?
Talks about the technology intensified after France-South Korea game wherein France’s shot appeared to be valid but the referee’s judgement called it otherwise.
Law 11 as cited by OnthePitch states that:
Offside Position
It is not an offence in itself to be in an offside position. A player is in an offside position if:
he is nearer to his opponents’ goal line than both the ball and the second last opponent.
A player is not in an offside position if:
he is in his own half of the field of play or
he is level with the second last opponent or
he is level with the last two opponents.
Offence
A player in an offside position is only penalised if, at the moment the ball touches or is played by one of his team, he is, in the opinion of the referee, involved in active play by:
interfering with play or
interfering with an opponent or
gaining an advantage by being in that position.
I could give you tons or argument on why it should be used which I would not since it plain obvious and self-explanatory of it’s need.
The only thing in it’s way is the readiness of the technology which I feel should not be released in production mode until tested thoroughly.
FIFA’s position on this is clear as reported by bbc late last year.
Fifa will use goal-line technology at the 2006 World Cup in Germany if a trial run at the Under-17 World Championships in Peru proves a success.
A ‘smartball’ system has been developed whereby balls fitted with a microchip will send a signal to the referee when they have crossed the line.“We will definitely use the technology in Germany if the experiment works,” said Fifa president Sepp Blatter.
A decision will be made by world football’s governing body in October.
The tournament, running from 16 September to 2 October, in Peru will host 32 matches at four venues each featuring the technology that has been developed to use the ‘smartball’ system.
If there are no incidents requiring the goal-line technology a special match will be arranged to take place at one of the stadiums.
Have Your Say
Is goalline technology the way forward?Blatter added: “The International Board will attend that last week of the competition in Peru in order to see how the system works.
“This goal-line technology is enough. Football must keep its human face and must accept errors. If we start to make it too scientific this game will lose its fascination.”
Image from bbc.
[tags]FIFA World Cup, World Cup, FIFA World Cup 2006, Germany, Tivo, Watch World Cup, Adidas Balls, Goal Line Technology[/tags]
