“Yes, I can confirm Geoff Hurst’s shot bounced down over the line but Roger Hunt pushed Wolfgang Weber in the build-up so no goal for England.”
World Cup history re-written with the addition of TV evidence to decide key incidents - and maybe soccer’s future if fans of technology get their way.
On the day rugby’s Six Nations championship was decided by the judgment of a Television Match Official (TMO), soccer was left discussing the need for similar technology after a controversial winning goal in a Premier League match.
So which sport has got it right?
Most major rugby matches are now covered by a TMO, who the referee can consult on major issues, and nobody who plays grass roots rugby complains that it’s not the same for them.
On Saturday the TMO decided that France’s Elvis Vermeulen had grounded the ball over the Scottish tryline in injury time of their match at the Stade de France, so handing France the title ahead of Ireland on points difference.
Though millions of watching Irish fans were hugely disappointed by the decision, few could argue with its accuracy as they all recognise that the TMO, with access to all camera angles, has the best view in the house.
On most occasions - Jonny Wilkinson’s foot-in-touch try against Scotland a glaring exception - the system produces the correct decision.
At almost the same time the title was being decided by technology in Paris, West Ham United secured a 2-1 victory over Blackburn Rovers with a goal that TV replays showed had clearly not crossed the line.
The Blackburn players and coach Mark Hughes were incensed and complained to referee and linesman - all to no avail of course despite the rest of the world knowing that Carlos Tevez had kept out his West Ham team mate Bobby Zamora’s shot.
Tevez, standing on the line, was also offside at the time, and as he tried unsuccessfully to jump over the ball it must be assumed he was “active”, while there was also an argument for a handball in the build-up.
Hughes blasted the officials and said the incident was another example of the need for TV replays.
Everyone accepts that the current blanket TV coverage means that it would be technically easy to arrange — some blogs say today that it will be introduced by 2008 — but there is a difference of opinion on whether it is wanted, and for what exactly?
Did the ball cross the line? Easy. Was Tevez offside and active? Yes, probably. Was there a handball? Maybe. Was someone’s shirt held a minute earlier? Who knows?
So if TV evidence is to be introduced, what can it cover, and how far back in a move should it run? Who can ask for a judgement? How often?
Or should we remain with the good old “these things even themselves out over the season”?
Mitch Phillips is head of UK sports reporting
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8 comments so far
For across the line decisions, technology can help but never mind the TV ref - get rid of the most stupid rule ever created - the current offside rule! As Brian Clough said “.. if any of my players are not interfering with play, they won’t be playing for me again..”. Good rules will mean no need for TV refs.
- Posted by Simon O'LearyWithout TV where would sport be?
- Posted by Kelvin RoonskiUsing TV for decisions is the next logical step. It didn’t take from Saturday’s rugby excitement, it added to it. The ref used the cameras perfectly when asking, “Give me a reason why I can’t give the try as I’ve seen the ball grounded.”
It didn’t take from Saturday’s rugby excitement, it added to it.
(Aside….these blogs are excellent. Bring back the Sheen Common blogs.)
Losing the often inconsistent, on the spot refereeing decisions might detract from the game, after all, who would fans/managers blame the wrong result on. (Some of the best songs involve “implicating” the ref as well)
- Posted by HerculesSurely introducing over the line technology in football will cause confusion amongst the players and coaching staff as they will not know if argueing, pushing and chasing the referee will have any impact. Some of them may think they need to beat up a camera man or blame the editing suite operators. How long will it be before a fan throws a brick thru the stadium diamond screen or some powerful club owner cuts off the power if his side are close to scoring a goal.
There is clearly no point in pasting over the cracks in the moral fibre of the sport with flashy technology
- Posted by Morgs SaysThere’s plenty of time to look at the replay while they’re celebrating so bring it in.
- Posted by JezzaRegarding offside, here’s an idea. Use video replays. Simply play advantage for any marginal call and only have a look if a goal is scored. Any other outcome, just play on. It won’t slow the game down any. In fact there’d be less stoppages and more action. We’ll call it the Jezza ruling!
Bring in the video replays, they’re long overdue. I reckon it would be fun if FIFA/UEFA then also re-wrote the history books to reflect all the mistakes that have been made. Starting from 1967.
Magnificent blog by the way.
- Posted by BarkersCameras for referees would not improve decision making. What we need to do is making referees and officials warmer. It is well known heat makes decisionmaking more accurate.
Linesman clthed in full leathers and perhaps Graham Poll with ear muffs my help. Camaras are for tourists, lets see the ref in a scarf and thermals.
- Posted by Bathroom ScreamerAlternatively we could allow up to 2 challenges of decisions per half as in tennis. That would mean the big one’s being looked at but not every minor issue.
Warm supporters is also important to tolerance of bad decisions. Perhaps handing out scarfs to cold spectators might help.
- Posted by Bathroom Screamer