Soccer is the most popular sport in the world and every four years take place the most single watched event, the soccer World Cup. This year the event is being hosted by South Africa, with the participation of 32 national teams from around the world. Over the years, the sport has made few changes; however, on this World Cup there has been many obvious mistakes done by the referees at important matches that some people are urging FIFA, the world governing body of soccer, to introduce technology that would assist referees on controversial decision.
Those who favor the introduction of technology argue that the game can be made better by allowing the introduction of RF geo-location sensor into the ball, so that referees have some assistance when determining out of bounds and goals. For example, on the recent World Cup 2010 match between England vs. Germany, Uruguayan referee Jorge Larrionda, disallowed a clear goal by the English striker Frank Lampard, when the ball hit the cross-bar, landed beyond the goal line and then rebounded into the playing ground again. As of result the English lost 4:1. Also, the same day there was another controversial referee call made by the referee Roberto Rosetti in the match Argentina vs. Mexico. In the minute 26th of a second-round game, Carlos Tevez from Argentina headed in a pass from Lionel Messi from close range. Though replays showed Tevez was clearly offside, referee Rosetti of Italy awarded the goal after consulting with his linesman as Mexican and Argentina players surrounded them, angrily gesturing.
People who disagree with the introduction of technology argue that with the introduction of technology the naturally fast-paced of the game will be killed. Sepp Blatter, president of FIFA argued few months back that “the game needs to be left the way it is, with all the human errors.” Blatter has also cited other reasons including: the game's universality, fans who love debating incidents, the cost and fear of extended use of technology, and interference with the flow of the game. All of these are reasonable, but not insurmountable.
The question is where is the fair-play?
Why FIFA so strongly refuse the use of technology? Perhaps there is something in the shadows and FIFA wants to keep control of the game? It is well known that soccer moves millions of dollars and there are many interest around the game. The incident with England and Mexico gives us a lot of room for speculation.
Yesterday June 28, 2010 after the match's were over and pressure amounted from around the world, Mr. Blatter didn’t have a choice, but to reconsider the use of technology. However, we need to remember that this new position on the use of technology comes from the same man that opposed the introduction of technology few months earlier. I will take Blatter's words more as a damage control, than a legitimate change of opinion. I hope that FIFA embraces technology to enhance the game that so many people loves so we can have a fair-play!
What do you think, should FIFA introduce technology into the game?
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