Monday, March 05, 2012

Goal-line technology

Apparently Sepp Blatter has become a convert, so it's going to happen.  Some say it will spoil a game where traditionally the referee's decision has always been final.  Some say that without controversy, the game will lose its appeal - its passion.  I think you've got to be more hard-headed about this - it's not about the game, it is (regrettably) about money.  Take the current season - it is becoming more and more apparent that relegation from the Premiership is probably going to come down to three clubs out of five (and my club Wolves is unfortunately one of them).  So that's life, but relegation for any club is a massive financial hit, and the thought that this might depend on a dodgy goal-line decision by an unsighted referee just isn't on.  Where such enormous sums are involved we owe it to the clubs to ensure that a goal is a goal is a goal, and equally that a goal is not given where the ball has not wholly crossed the line.  Of course you could argue for technology to be used for penalty/free kick outside the box decisions as well, and maybe that will come in due course, although that's more difficult because it doesn't depend on where the ball is, so will need some sort of different approach.  On balance though, it's a step in the right direction.

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