In a development that is likely to interest all followers of the beautiful game, the Guardian has reported that FIFA’s first forays into examining goal-line technology has failed to produce a clear solution as to how to proceed.
The Guardian’s report states:
“FIFA’s plans to introduce goal-line technology have suffered a setback after every one of the 10 companies which took part in trials last week failed to meet the criteria set by the world game’s governing body.
As revealed in this column last month, firms expressing an interest in providing the technology were invited to Zurich to test their equipment in day-time and night-time conditions.
“A difficult environment probably contributed to the companies’ problems. The artificial pitch made matters tricky for those companies who would seek to run cables around the goal-mouth.
“The lack of a stadium and of a crowd, with thousands of fans carrying mobile phones, also made conditions unrealistic. Hawk-Eye, the most established technology having already conducted stadium testing at Reading, declined even to take part in apparent anticipation of the difficult environment.
“Companies had only a few months to strive for FIFA’s criteria – 100 per cent accuracy and relaying results back to the officials within one second – and it proved too exacting a task.
“But some influential individuals at FIFA still wish to launch the technology at a FIFA tournament before possible implementation at the 2014 World Cup.
“The results of the tests will go to the International Football Association Board meeting [at Celtic Manor on 5 March] and it will decide,” said a FIFA spokesman. But the game’s law-making body has previously opposed technology’s introduction.
“A proposal of the UEFA president, Michel Platini, for additional match officials, is also set to be discussed: it seems the best the inventors can hope for is a permit to carry on testing.”
The introduction of goal-line technology is an issue which FIFA has struggled with, in recent years, as it seeks to find a balance between ensuring that legitimate goals can be identified when missed by the on-field officials and the need to ensure the flow of the game is not unnecessarily disrupted.
The first step in seeking a solution is determining the capabilities of the technology.
But as the Guardian article suggests, the conditions imposed by FIFA were too restrictive for the testing to be considered an accurate reflection of the ability of the technology.
It is significant that the Hawk-Eye did not elect to take part in the trials.
The successful integration of technology to assist decision making in sports such as tennis and cricket is evidence that technology can play a role in eliminating human error.
FIFA has shied away from going down this path in the past and there continues to be doubt about the willingness of those at the higher levels of the organisation to fully explore the potential for goal-line technology.
Whether you support or oppose the introduction of goal-line technology, what is not in doubt is the need to ensure that when the time comes for a decision to be made, the evidence that is put in front of the decision-makers represents a full and frank testing of the technology outlining both the key strengths and weaknesses.
If this is not achieved, then Sepp Blatter will be doing a disservice to the first part of FIFA’s motto.
He will not have made the best decision “for the game” but rather one that best suits his personal preferences.
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