Is it time to use Video Technology to help Referees?
There has been some very controversial decisions that has been made over the past few weeks in the premiership, in fact it has been happening for a number of years. Is it not time that we look at using video playbacks during matches to help referees make the correct decision?
Controversy
Over the past few weeks we have seen penalties and goals given wrongly, the fact these decisions cost the clubs point and money it get highlighted, the amount of money involved in the game is astronomical, one wonders if all the money invested is justified when you see what is happening in the rest of the world, after all it is just meant to be a game, right !!!
Over the years referees were revered, they had more respect of the players and managers alike. Since the big money being invested by TV for live football coverage the pressure on clubs, managers, players and referees is immense. The fact that when you watch live TV there are so many cameras on the match they seem to get every angle covered, this was always going to undermine the referees decisions somewhat, they can only make a decision based on what they see and their interpretation of that particular incident.
I am not trying to side with referees, we have to appreciate the difficult job they have now especially with all the scrutiny they are having to face.
To a certain extent the media has had a huge influence in what I say is undermining of the officials. The media seemed to highlight and criticise every decision a referee makes, I feel that the media has been instrumental in encouraging the lack of respect that the referees and officials have been facing. Having said that this season in terms of respect for the officials it appears to have improved.
There has also been certain changes in the rules and laws of the game, the interpretation of these changes has caused an inconsistency amongst the referees.
Video Technology
There are other sports who use video technology very effectively and with the minimum of disruption to the game. The use of video technology is wide spread in Rugby, Cricket and in American Sports like Basketball and American Football. There is an argument that these other sports have natural breaks in their game which allows and encourages the use of technology to be able to make informed decision.
In football the referee has the power to stop the game and go back to the incident, this in my view allows the 4th official to playback and view the incident, invariably when there is an incident during the game and at that point there is some form of protest, during this short period it can quite easily be conceived there is enough time to see the playback of the incident and relay this to the referee.
A few years ago it was muted that goal line technology based on the cyclops used in tennis would be used, had that been used then the Pedro Mendes goal for Spurs against Manchester United would have stood, that was the most obvious goal not to have stood, it was absolutely shocking.
Recently it had been reported that the use of goal line technology was actually stopped by none other than Michel Platini and unfortunately the individual football associations cannot bring in the technology without the agreement of FIFA.
Should Video Technology be used?
In my opinion video technology should be used, the use can be for many aspects of the game, not just for the obvious incidents such as penalty decisions, controversial goals but also for player discipline, catching the cheaters and simulators, I think video technology should be used retrospectively and the player punishment should be much harsher.
The fines being passed out to players are ridiculous especially with the amount money they are being paid, in most cases the fines should be supplemented by longer suspensions.
Let’s clean up the game, let’s help the referees to make correct decisions and play the game fairly.
Suggested Reading
Tags: disruption, live football coverage, live tv, other sports, premiership, video technology