The FA have announced that goal-line technology may be introduced to the Premier League as early as next season. No doubt many manager will furiously argue the case for it (probably Neil Warnock) claiming that in this day and age, we should have it. Meanwhile, an opposite number, whilst sympathetic, will use the “these things balance themselves out over a season” line.
Now, as an Englishman, who watched in utter disbelief as Frank Lampard’s “equaliser” against Germany at last years World Cup was never given, you would think I would be all for it, but, and here’s my problem, where does it end?
Football has been sanitised enough over the last 20 years, mostly for the better, but in that time we have also seen referees turn into soulless individuals, making decisions based on what the assessor in the stand wants and thus becoming one step away from being a robot. If we then introduce goal line technology we will see managers shift their attention to other things like penalty decisions, bookings, etc.
Technology is now so advanced that everything can be seen from 9 angles, in super slow mo or High Def. Every fan that’s been to a game has a different view on the ref’s decision until Messrs Hansen, Lineker, and Shearer show it 12 times on MOTD.
So where do we stop? Should we do away with referees and linesmen (sorry referees assistants) and just let the game flow, no whistles, no offsides, plenty of goals. Imagine an old firm game that finished 9-9!
We then analyse the game using all available Technology and reduce the goals scored if someone is found to have been offside or if a foul was committed, a player dived etc. Then on a Saturday night instead of MOTD we tune in at 10pm for an actual “Classified” results service! Fans are leaving Ibrox having witnessed a 9-9 thriller and find out 7 hours later it was a 1-0 defeat. It would reduce tension immediately after the game, it would stop “banter” for days about the offside goal, because by 10pm we would know whether or not it stood. Talk radio may become a little dull, many an old pundit be out of a job, and no longer would we have to listen to Pat Nevin……….. (every cloud I suppose).
Would we be happier though? I very much doubt it, so the next time your agreeing with a ranting Mr Warnock think for a second where it may all end! Football isn’t perfect, it’s full of injustices and it’s bloody frustrating at times but that’s why we love it. The ones we get away with are remembered with a certain affection, you only need to ask any Argentinian/Scotsman/Welshman about Mexico 86′ and the hand of God.
Goal line technology is useful but let’s keep the fun element too.
P.S.
It did cross the line in 66! (it says so in the record books…..).
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About the Author
For as long as he can remember, Mark has loved football. Originally from just outside Manchester, he supports Bury FC so can’t be labelled as a glory hunter (although they do hold the record for the biggest FA Cup final winning margin, 6-0 in 1903 and it still stands today!).
Mark drives a cab, so automatically he “has an opinion and usually it’s the right one!” All opinions are the author’s own, and they can be heard on twitter @bigmarkdavies. You can contact Mark via email at bigmarkdavies@talktalk.net
Strangely enough when it’s not being sanitised it’s being satinised, nice post