FIFA taking a backward step over technology
Jon Carter
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It may come as no surprise to those who know FIFA President Sepp Blatter's views on the subject, but the decision to halt work on developing technology to aid in goal-line controversy was dealt with deploraby
A year after giving their backing to plans to develop the 'Hawkeye' system already seen in tennis and cricket, for football, the International FA Board performed an incredible U-turn and voted against continuing the experiments for the foreseeable future.
Now, while the IFAB are made up of the four home associations (who each have a vote), there is no doubt that the major opposition came from FIFA, who make up the other half of the committee.
When you consider the track record of football's governing body in 'embracing' technology, and the fact that proposals need a three-quarter majority vote to be passed, 'Hawkeye' never really stood a chance.
However, that does beg the question why the IFAB were so keen to approve the original plans back in February 2007?
The simple answer is that FIFA like to project an image of progression, while the reality is that they would rather hark back to older and, in their view, happier, times. Quite why they would entertain the notion otherwise is a mystery.
Blatter has constantly fought with those keen on bringing technology into the game and the excuses that he trotted out for the refusal to continue the 'Hawkeye' trials, did not carry much weight.
'FIFA are of the opinion that the systems are too complicated and very costly,' he said. 'They would not add anything to the game and would harm the position of the referee. We have to maintain the laws of the game in their simplicity. Do you want technical devices to take these decisions?'
Actually, in some cases, yes. And the introduction of a goal-line camera would be a whole lot easier than attempting to bring in two extra assistant referees, which is the IFAB's intent while Hawkeye remains 'on ice'.
For starters, the FA have already expressed reservations over the recruitment of these extra officials, with the associations already struggling to bring in new blood.
Officials will hardly be clamouring for positions that involve standing at one end of the pitch for 90 minutes, before being called into action once every blue moon for a controversial line-call.
It is understood that UEFA President Michel Platini is keen to use these officials to determine penalty area disputes as well, which would certainly give their position more credence; although surely this would undermine the decisions made by the on-field referee?
The unfortunate reality is that football's decision makers have a flagrant disregard for any good that technology could do for the game. They see some form of machine-orientated Puma advert as the outcome of allowing the slightest hint of technology into a game steeped in tradition.
Tennis has managed it. Cricket too. And it has not interrupted 'the flow of the game'. Granted those sports are afforded more time for the decision making process, but when 'Hawkeye' claims to give an accurate goal-line decision to the referee in 0.5 seconds, that argument loses credibility.
Moreover, Blatter may claim that there are problems with consistency, but you only have to look at the level of decisions in the other sports and, conversely, an incident like then-Man Utd goalkeeper Roy Carroll knocking the ball two feet over the line against Spurs in 2005, to see the benefits.
Indeed, the inventor of Hawkeye, Paul Hawkins, is 'livid' at the decision. And rightly so, having been given the go-ahead to develop his program for use in the Premier League by the 2009/10 season and even showcasing it for the IFAB at a demonstration at Reading's Madjeski stadium as early as last week.
GettyImages
Goal-line cameras are not the way forward, according to FIFA.
Such a disgraceful back-track will surely lead to compensation for Hawkins and his team who have invested time and money in a product which is now deemed 'dead in the water'; while FIFA's conduct (batting eyelids one minute and casting them aside the next) will certainly act as a warning for any other company keen to become the flagship for any future efforts to bring in technology.
While the debate over the introduction of video technology may roll on for many years, the introduction of a system to clear up goal-line controversies seemed to be the very least that FIFA could have done to improve the reliability of the game.
With world football's governing body keen to block any such proposals, the future of the sport looks like remaining stagnant while others progress.
Sepp Blatter has also caused controversy this week with his comments about Martin Taylor's tackle on Eduardo.
While the Birmingham defender will receive a three-match ban for ending the Arsenal player's season, Blatter has decided to review the punishment and ensure that the 'correct' sanction is applied.
Quite what it has to do with him is a mystery. Arsenal, and indeed Eduardo himself, have accepted the player's apology and it is clear to even the most partisan Gunners fan that the incident was not malicious, and not helped by the fact the Croatian got his studs caught in the ground.
Blues' boss Alex McLeish has criticised Blatter, saying: '(When) I heard his comments I was flabbergasted. Sepp has probably seen the extent of Eduardo's injury and some of the pictures in the papers and he has been horrified because of that. The people who know the game know it wasn't a malicious tackle, simple as that.'
While the consequences of Taylor's tackle were unfortunate, Blatter has no business in trying to increase the ban already decided by the FA. It would set a dangerous precedent for FIFA to try and stamp their authority on decisions made across Europe and, if nothing else, represents a fabulous waste of time for everyone involved.
FIFA's top man should worry himself with improving the future of the game, starting with goal-line technology, and leave everything else alone
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