In the football (soccer) world, goal-line technology is a controversial magnetic tracking system of devices, which signals the referee when a ball has crossed the goal-line, thus indicating a goal has been scored. Usually in soccer, the use of any type of virtual replay or the use of a “freeze frame” for the referee is strictly prohibited, so goal-line technology has been an issue of advocacy.
Mechanics/Components
edit“Goal-line technology” consists of a few things.
1.) A microchip inside the soccer ball -
The microchip sends a signal to a computer that stores the information on where the ball is located on the field, and that redirects the message to the referee, so he can make a decision. According to Adidas, makers of the 'Intelligent ball', the microchip will not have any effect on the overall weight or flight of the ball.[1]
2.) Referee’s signal unit -
The unit receives the message from the central computer and indicates when a goal has been scored. The unit is a watch that the referee wears around his wrist. Either a beep or a vibration alerts the referee that the ball has fully crossed the line, no matter what obstruction may lie in either the referee's, or the ball's way.
3.) Wired magnetic goal field -
Thin wired are put around the goal to create the magnetized field that the microchip in the ball reacts with to send signals to the main computer. Because of the "robust and stabilized" aspects of the ball and the wired magnetic field, the system is not affected by any weather changes throughout the match.[2]
History
editControversy
editGoal-line technology has been presented to FIFA because of certain instances that have caused the footballing world to look at a way to improve the quality of the game.
The first real call on goal-line technology came on January 4th, 2005:
In a game in the Barclay’s English Premiership between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United, Pedro Mendes hit a last minute shot from the half-way line of the field in an attempt to win the game. Roy Carroll, the United goalkeeper fumbled the shot into his own net; the ball crossed the line by a clear foot. However, the goal was not given because neither the referee, nor the linesman saw the ball cross the line. [3]
On September 20, 2008, in a game between Reading FC and Watford FC in the Coca-Cola English Championship, The referee strangely decided to award a goal that went wide of the target. The shot, which really went out for a goal-kick, was called to be a goal by the linesman, who later claimed he thought he had seen the ball go in the net. This is the most recent incident that brought up the great debate on goal-line technology.[4] After the match, Watford FC manager, Adrian Boothroyd, was absolutely furious, and he called for a change in the game of soccer with the introduction of goal-line technology.[5]
Development/FIFA's Stances
editAs controversial circumstances began to occur more and more frequently, many soccer federations, including FIFA were called to take stances on the possibility of introducing goal-line technology into the game; however, pressure from the public caused the responses to be delayed and for an organization to 'flip-flop' on the issue was not a strange occurance.
After the Tottenham Hotspur incident, the English Football Association, responded by saying that it would “support any move for goal-line technology." [6] The FA explained the difference between goal-line technology and video replay technology, insisting they would not support the latter, but would support the former.
- Using a form of goal-line technology in the U-17 Peru Championships.
- Using another form of goal-line technology in “junior matches in 2007.”
- Also using goal-line technology in the 2007 World Club Championships.
On March 8, 2008, however, FIFA declared that they would no longer run tests on goal-line technology and the subject would be rejected “until further notice.” Instead, they decided to add two more referees into the game, one behind each goal, to better read if a ball truly crosses the goal-line. [8] In response to FIFA’s decision, many clubs around the world, along with a majority from the English Premiership, voiced their concern at the outcome of no goal-line technology. [9]
Famous Advocators
editThe following people are famous advocators either for or against goal-line technology.[9]
For
edit- David Gold/ Birmingham City FC
- Chris Evans/Bolton Wanderers FC
- John Wiliams/ Blackburn Rovers FC
- Rafael Benitez/ Liverpool FC
- Gareth Southgate/ Middlesbrough F.C.
- Kevin Keegan/ Newcastle United FC
- Peter Storrie/ Portsmouth FC
- Steve Bruce/ Wigan Athletic FC
Against
edit- Sepp Blatter/ FIFA
Reasons For/Against
editThe following have been mentioned to be the pros/cons of goal-line technology.
Pros
edit- The introduction of goal-line technology would make decisions accurate and eliminate the variable of human error.
- Because a result is based on physics and has scientific evidence, the other team cannot complain on a decision.
Cons
edit- The time it takes for the goal-line decision may take away from time from the actual game plays. The referee must wait for the message and this slows down the game.
- Computers are not perfect and the fear of glitches in the system could instead make decisions even more controversial.
- Soccer is a very old game played with almost exactly the same rules that it was invented with. The more change in soccer, the more the danger that the game will become warped, or something it is not.
Sources
edit- ^ The Goal-Line Technology. (FIFA. December 13, 2007). <http://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/clubworldcup/japan2007/photogallery/gallery=659444.html#659402> October 15, 2008
- ^ Adidas and Cairos Test New Goal Line Technology During FIFA Club World Cup™ in Japan. (Adidas. December 13, 2007). <http://www.press.adidas.com/DesktopDefault.aspx/tabid-16/94_read-8534/>, October 18, 2008.
- ^ Manchester United 0-0 Tottenham. (BBC. January 4, 2005.) <http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/4130167.stm>, October 15, 2008
- ^ Watford 2-2 Reading. (BBC. September 20, 2008.) <http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/7614022.stm>, October 15, 2008.
- ^ Solhekol Kaveh, Watford Manager Adrian Boothroyd Calls for Goal-line Technology. (Times. September 26, 2008.) <http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/football_league/article4828422.ece>, October 15, 2008.
- ^ FA Considers Goal-line Technology. (BBC. January 5, 2005). <http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/4148155.stm>, October 15, 2008.
- ^ Cary, Tom. New Trial For Goal-Line Technology. (Telegraph. November 23, 2006). <http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/international/2350844/New-trial-for-goal-line-technology.html>, October 15, 2008.
- ^ Goal-Line Technology Put on Ice. (FIFA, March 8, 2008). <http://www.fifa.com/aboutfifa/federation/bodies/media/newsid=707751.html>, October 15, 2008.
- ^ a b Warshaw, Andrew. Clubs Dismiss Uefa and Fifa Goal-line Decision. (Daily Telegraph, 22 Mar 2008). <http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/2295110/Clubs-dismiss-Uefa-and-Fifa-goal-line-decision.html>, October 15, 2008.