Goal-line technology has to be implemented...

[theleedsmango]

Goal line technology would be the only one I wanted accepted.

Every other decision, may or may not change a game. But not giving a goal to a ball that crossed the line is making a decision that certainly will change the game. And I'm pretty much sure it's instantaneous...do the fans even need to know? Ball crosses the line, referee gets a signal down his ear piece, and awards the goal. The fans all protest, and the pundits look at footage after the match and show that it was indeed a goal. This is nothing different to what the linesmen are meant to be doing, confirming things to the referee from a different angle.

If this needs to be done by having cameras on the same plane as the goal posts, and watching for 90 minutes to see when the ball crosses...well that isn't using any new technology (the word that seems to scare people off) than we are already using.

[becchio bear]

No need.

Ball does, or doesn't cross line. Striker turns to celebrate but is incensed to find goal hasn't been given. Some of his colleagues run to protest to the assistant. Players from both sides surround the referee to make their point. Ugliness and bookings ensue. The kop suggests through the medium of song that the linesman was too busy masturbating to watch the ball. Several minutes pass and the beautiful game restarts. TV viewers miss subsequent beauty while the director shows endless slow-mo replays of the ball possibly crossing the line.

Or...

Ball does, or doesn't cross the line. The beautiful game continues. Within seconds a computer has confirmed that the ball did indeed cross the line. The referee is informed via his earpiece, blows his whistle and points to the centre circle. The players have no recourse to protest. The attacking side is appropriately rewarded for its endeavours. Fans celebrate. Ugliness is removed from the atmosphere. The game is alive.

After all. What is more beautiful about the beautiful game than a goal being scored and the happy delerium of tens of thousands?

Drs second example is what should happen.

Oh come on. Of course it should. At least that should be a start in footie and technology.

[Gino 1959]

Watching the Irish sports news yesterday the same thing happened - clearly a goal, but no help for the ref/assistants - a much needed addition to the game and - like the video judge in RU - it need not spoil the game.

[MeeTa]

Watching the Irish sports news yesterday the same thing happened - clearly a goal, but no help for the ref/assistants - a much needed addition to the game and - like the video judge in RU - it need not spoil the game.

it need not, but it will

[Drs.Dad]

As far as I am aware, FIFA have asked technological companies to produce the goods for consideration. The two leaders at the moment are a Hawkeye type system, and a sensor chip based one. It seems to me that a Hawkeye system would produce the result that most antis are against, stopping the game while someone analyses results of camera based systems. Cameras would have to set up all around the ground, and (I assume) manned, and the cameras would be at different heights/distances from the ball at different grounds, which would give an inbuilt error factor. As Drs.Mum is a keen tennis fan, we have seen some Hawkeye playbacks which have been inaccurate to quite a degree, so I'm not in favour of that one.
The sensor based product seems much simpler, accurate, and does not require the game to be stopped. A microchip is suspended at the centre of the ball on elasticated straps which will give or take up slack as the ball's shape changes after a kick. Sensors are in the goalposts, an if the ball crosses the whole of the line by the necessary distance, then a goal is given. The ref would be alerted by some means, be it a flashing light, vibrations, noise..... it doesn't really matter. What is important is that the ref is aware that the ball has crossed the line.
Surely this is the only just way, and players, managers, refs and fans wouldn't feel cheated as the truth will be there for all to see. The 'over the line' warning could also be linked to TV screens too, as offside decisions are now, so everyone knows the truth of the matter.
What's wrong with that?????

[BeestonLad]

The one yesterday was just a shocker - if the ref saw the keeper make the save he could have given the goal.... if the goalie pulls the ball back and it hits the underside of the bar.... gotta be a goal.

My only concern with it is if they start lobbying for it throughout the game, football is different to rugby in the sense that if a player gets over the line and appears to score, the game stops, whereas in football if the ball comes back out (by any means) it's play on, the other team could go and score immediately afterwards.

The game could help it's officials by introducing a few simple measures, such as situating the goal line slightly behind the posts, so if an official sees the ball parallel with the line or it hits the line, it's a goal - not ''did all of the ball.....'' as it is now.

Slightly O/T, I do wish they'd take at least a second before flashing the red card all the f**king time, just think!!!

[Gino 1959]

Maybe introduce the extra officials as in Europe

[Bakerjamessteven]

dead right, bring it on, we should have won that game

[rand3ll]

I actually had to do a college presentation on this subject.

Although there are benefits to goal line technology, I have to admit I'm not in favour of it.

If we started with goal line technology it wouldn't be long before we started talking about replays for offsides and penalties, and then throws, corners, goal kicks, fouls etc.

The game would be more stop/start than American Football which would be awful!

Also, this technology would only be available to the higher divisions because of the expense involved, can you really see the F.A. paying for goal line sensors for teams like Hartlepool and Walsall?
Who's to say their games aren't as important as Arsenals, Scums or Chelseas?

Human error is all part of the game, without it England may never have won the World Cup in '66.

Let's get the 2 extra linesmen behind each goal and enjoy the game as it is