FIFA Should Once And For All Introduce Video Technology
I’m not going to rehash, you know what, here. Nah. Rather, we should take the opportunity to hound and harass FIFA to get off its delusional perch and ass and bring video technology to world soccer.
Too much is at stake to not do this. We have the ability to make things right through technological advancements so why not take it? We see video replay in hockey, football and now baseball and tennis. Has it destroyed the integrity of those sports? Has reviewing a play really cost that much time? I think most fans, when it comes to critical plays, are willing to wait whatever it takes to get the call right.
In a past article, I argued video technology should not be viewed from the standpoint of “traditions” for a particular sport. We need to be more practical and sensible. In this light, it should be seen as an aid to a referee. It’s unfair to ask a ref to get every single call right every time. I know most people don’t demand this claiming it’s part of the sport to make human error, but why is it so wrong to help officials along in critical moments of a game?
Using video replay need not be a slippery slope into all sorts of negative assumptions. Those who claim it will waste time and who further assert it will be difficult to come up with a sound way to introduce it lack creativity.
Where there’s a will there’s a way. A team can challenge one play each. A ref can reserve one for his own discretion. Thus, there would be three options in a game. In some cases, all three would be used in others none at all.
It can be reserved strictly for, let’s call them challengeable plays, penalties given (by way of a dive, hand ball etc.) and goals. How they shied away from using a smart ball for goals is beyond me.
Anyway, these are just some examples off the top of my head.
In any event, it is time for FIFA to modernize and bring video replay. It would save a lot of heart ache between nations and soccer fans. The karma created by sensational controversy is simple not good for anyone.
France and Ireland are just the latest to go through this and they surely won’t be the last.
Bring video replay – NOW!
