It is quite interesting that every time the World Cup comes around, supporters flood out of the woodwork in order to support their country in a contest which they obviously don’t understand.
What don’t they understand? Plain and simply, they don’t understand the rules.
This morning I live-streamed the Ghana versus USA game, because I love to watch football regardless of who’s playing. But no sooner than kick-off did a co-worker start complaining about how ‘football’s rules don’t flow and how the game is boring’, which is ridiculous.
I listened to him talk about the inconsistency with referees and his opinion that even the new goal-line technology hasn’t solved the issue, referring to the blunder in the France versus Honduras match.
I soon learnt that he doesn’t support or follow football at all. I couldn’t believe that someone with zero knowledge on the subject could state something so blatantly.
He has a good point though, referee inconsistency is rife in football, but it’s the same in every other code. They’re human, and funnily enough no one is perfect and every one makes mistakes.
The introduction of technology isn’t necessarily the answer either. Football is a flowing game, as all fans would know, and to introduce more technology, such as video referee decisions for each goal, would be the end of football as we know it.
All that would come of it is a 90-minute mothers’ meeting and what would seem to be endless extra time in order to account for the seven minutes it would take to get a video referee decision for each goal decision.
The ridiculous thing is that even when you try to explain the rules to people, they argue with you. They think it’s logical, however in reality it just proves their ignorance.
For example my colleague suggested that FIFA do away with the use of multiple referees, and just have one centre referee, with two roaming cameras to act as sideline officials. At least he knows how many referees there are.
This got me thinking that clearly it’s a strange and stupid idea, because it would require more human input (to operate the cameras) and slow the game down to snail’s pace.
So I put it to you Roarers. Would converting football from the system it is now to the above be beneficial or not?
LachlanHale #COYS
Guest
Complete numpty that commentator,peeved me off more than absaloute nonsense transfer talk
Anthony Ferguson
Guest
Personally I love the goal line technology and the way it has been introduced to give the ref an instant yes or no without disturbing the flow of the game. I never would have thought that France goal was over the line without it, and I dare say it wouldn't have counted. I also love the passive offside rule. Easy to follow and has led to forwards getting more goal scoring opportunities. Ignore the haters. The fact football is the world's most popular sport is evidence enough that the rules are just fine. In fact it is all those other sports that need to adjust their rules to make their sports more watchable to us - and even then they'd still be inferior.
RBBAnonymous
Guest
The only blunder was putting up "No goal" in the first instance. They should have just played the whole sequence on replay and just once flash up "Goal" or "No Goal". It just caused a bit of confusion even though ultimately the right decision was made. I think GLT is fantastic for the world cup and it works well. Not sure if I want it for offsides or not but from what I have seen so far the majority of refeere decisions on offsides have been pretty good. Those incorrect decisions have been marginally wrong and I am happy to live with those.
Kyle Stewart
Roar Pro
The whole France vs Honduras GLT blunder came about because a commentator saw a chance to make the game about "ME ME ME ME" instead of calling the game i wanted to punch the telly when I heard him carrying on like a muppet
Matthew Skellett
Guest
As far as technology goes maybe FIFA should invest in a electronic BS -Indicator -one that doesn't overheat with hightened activity and the published results are accessed by everybody huh?
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
Yes, I was thinking of a GPS chip in the players' boots. The computer software would be set up to ensure all players are "visible" (i.e. the GPS chip is on the field & transmitting) at all times; and another GPS chip would be in the ball. The linesmen wouldn't even have to be involved. If a player is in an off-side position, a signal is sent to the ref's watch & he decides if the player is: interfering with play, interfering with an opponent or gaining an advantage.
Gazmon
Guest
Fraught with disaster to be honest. Very hard to implement anything unless the ball goes dead and you have a clear way to restart play. I've been to many FFA/FIFA referee seminars and it always comes up, typically about 20-30 scenarios are thrown up that would require almost all laws to be rewritten to allow for video technology.
JK
Guest
Not mid-game, this is only after a goal is scored. A team can appeal for offside....hence on a 50/50 call the linesman would give the benefit of the doubt to the attacking team and let play go rather than halting a potential legitimate goal...as you often see. But I would probably only allow 2 appeals per team so as to not slow down the game...so they would have to choose wisely
Simon
Roar Rookie
Don't you think giving teams the right to challenge calls mid-game will turn football into the sort they play in America?
JK
Guest
Loving the goal line technology so far! it should have come in 10 years ago. Next step I would love to see is if it is also possible to determine an off-side call via similar technology....give each team 2 or 3 rights of appeal. Solve this problem, and the only variable left is the awarding of penalties...which can be mostly fixed by eliminating simulation with harsh post match video review penalties for the diver.
Gazmon
Guest
One thing they could change in the laws to combat simulation would be that to add that, in the opinion of the referee, the commitment of a foul is not penalised should the player who has been 'fouled' embellish, simulate or feign contact or injury. Play will continue and the offending player is cautioned at the next stoppage in play. Should no contact be made and a player commits gross-simulation then play is stopped immediately, an indirect free kick awarded to the opposing team and the player cautioned.
LachlanHale #COYS
Guest
Totally agree with you here Muz!
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
"On another point I would love to see a ref with balls give the foul and then turn around and book the flailing Berisha / Muller type a yellow card." I'm sure I saw this happen (for the 1st & only time) recently. Can't recall which player, or team. May have been either EPL, or Uefa Champions League. If I find out, I'll post ... wouldn't want you dying unhappy! :-)
LachlanHale #COYS
Guest
This is all well and good but the problem FIFA faces is enforcing this throughout all major leagues. If FIFA fails to do so, they risk creating an uneven playing field across the world, creating leagues to become more or less attractive for a possible migrating player.
Muz
Guest
Imagine you are Brazil's manager for a moment and this rule was in place. The first thing you would tell your players, particularly your Neymar types, is for God's sake stay on your feet. On another point I would love to see a ref with balls give the foul and then turn around and book the flailing Berisha / Muller type a yellow card. Just once and I can go to my grave a happy man.
Griffo
Roar Guru
I was wondering at the possible technology in your last paragraph earlier this morning. Camera technology similar to GLT could work for offiside and would be easiest to install and use now; I think this is a distinct possibility for Russia 2018. GPS positioning could work as well, but where does the sensor go if the players foot is the determining factor in offside. I could see a possibility of boot sensors to indicate position in the line between attacker and defender...but then this is getting rather complicated and relying on players with the equipment rather than stadium management/FIFA/Confederation.
Muz
Guest
Firstly doing nothing is not an option however I do hear what you are saying. That is why I am suggesting 3 match bans and not 1. Any team caught cheating, and it is cheating, needs to be harshly punished. I would bet a penny to a pound this would fix this issue up overnight.
Muz
Guest
The real question is why wouldn't you dive? The payoff is huge if you can con the ref. At worst if you get caught you will get a yellow card. There's your problem. There's no disincentive to diving. Post match reviews and 3 match bans would change professional football overnight.
Griffo
Roar Guru
Taking a near extreme case, if the simulation involved resulted in a goal/penalty and was the match winner, suspensions would be the least concern if it meant the team got points and progressed in a tournament. If this is something that came in, post-match, then the threat of points deduction would be needed. Reducing points based off video revue would open up a whole other can of worms at something like a World Cup if there was no appeal process/defence of the positive ref decision...
Muz
Guest
Post match video reviews and suspensions for diving is the only other bit of technology I'd love to see. If a few blokes got suspended in the first couple of matches that would kill simulation dead. Brazil and Germany particularly need a kick up the behind.