Richard Scudamore has revealed that goal line technology has to wait till 2013 at the earliest
Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore ruled out the implementation of ‘goal-line technology’ in the upcoming season 2012-13. With FIFA yet to approve the goal line technology, which is currently being tested, he said that it is still some time away before it is finally put in place. However, he reiterated the desire to bring in the technology at the earliest.
The frequency of goal line misjudgments by the referees has resulted in growing calls for technology to be introduced. The recent incident in the FA Cup final between Chelsea and Liverpool sparked renewed cries for the goal line technology. Andy Caroll’s header seemed to have gone in before Cech parried it onto the bar but referee waved play on. The Liverpool players were furious at the decision although the Czech goalie maintained it never crossed the line. Replays suggested that the ball din’t indeed cross the line but Kenny Dalglish believes he has seen such goals being given. Dalglish was vocal ebough about the urgency in introducing technology into the game, brushing off suggestions that it will slow the game down.
FA Cup semi final between the eventual champions and Tottenham witnessed yet another controversial goal line incident. Juan Mata’s shot was adjudged goal by referee Martin Atkinson, although replays clearly indicated that the ball din’t cross the line. Harry Redknapp accused the referee of ‘guessing’ before awarding a vital second goal to Chelsea. The FA remains committed though, in its effort to bring in technology.
The goal line technology has been widely debated over a long time, going as far back Frank Lampard’s strike from distance against Germany in WC finals, which was not awarded. But there are plenty of factors that weigh heavily against the technology. The probable accuracy of the technology is yet to be ascertained, with them going through testing and FIFA not having given the nod still. The costs that comes with it and how that might affect the overall dynamics of the game are also factors. The introduction of goal line technology will be expensive and it remains to be seen how FIFA and other football governing bodies are going to deal with that. The skeptics still maintain that the human element should be retained in the game. The entire philosophy of the referee’s decision being final will be significantly compromised if the technology is introduced. But with the number of errors growing every day and the demands for it as well, it is of course a matter of time that football will follow in the footsteps of other sports.
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