Electronic Refereeing

[St Landrew]

How's the debate on electronic aids and video replays for improved refereeing going..? Is there a trial of these things finally underway..? Amongst the vast majority of correct decisions the refs make, week in, week out, are some real clunkers. They may be about little things on the pitch, or they may be huge. All are significant in their own way, and that just might add up at the end of the season, when one team may gain a Championship or be relegated unfairly.

 

Yes, there are those opposed to electronic refereeing aids in football. The phrases that normally pop up are: the luck evens out over the season; it's part of the game; and it'll break up the flow of the match.

 

To my mind this is a rather outdated argument. Luck, if there is such a thing, doesn't necessarily even out over a season. Yes, bad refereeing decisions are part of the game - a BAD part. And players arguing with the referee over his bad decision, also breaks up the flow of the game. A conclusive video replay could put an end to that.

 

Anyone like a poll on this question..?

[bridge too far]

I'm in favour. It works fine in cricket and tennis.

[Block 18]

I'm in favour. It works fine in cricket and tennis.

 

 

Also both codes of rugby yes I believe that there is a place for it in football, not for every little free kick but certainly those was it over the line or not incidents. Could also be used dubious on red card tackles.

[SuperMikey]

Weren't the FA going install Hawk-Eye technology into goalframes to help determine whether the ball has crossed the line or not and then pulled the plug at the last minute?

 

I also heard that they were going to replace the plan by playing another official behind the goal. Personally I think that video-refereeing works extremely well and can definately help football progress as a sport.

[Kadeem Hardison]

I would be in favour of robot linesmen and offside traps triggered by lasers in the heels of the last defender. Also, referees should be fitted with an honesty chip which releases truth serum into the brain at regular intervals. And hover boots should be allowed.

[St Landrew]

I would be in favour of robot linesmen and offside traps triggered by lasers in the heels of the last defender. Also, referees should be fitted with an honesty chip which releases truth serum into the brain at regular intervals. And hover boots should be allowed.

 

You could also hypnotise refs..!

 

You must award penalties against Man United at Old Trafford.

I must award penalties against Man United at Old Trafford.

 

Very good. Now onto the next ruling...

[the stain]

No. No no no.

 

No.

 

There may be something to be said for a hawkeye style device to determine if a ball crossed the line. But generally, no. It's not about 'luck' evening itself out. It's about the referee calling it as he sees it and everyone being big enough to go along with it.

 

Players will argue with the referee (and disrupt the flow) whether his decision his good or bad. This is because they have lost sight of the fact that the referee represents the rules of the game on the field of play. This won't be addressed by stripping the referee of his authority over decisions, but rather by backing up the hot air of the Respect campaign with some actual stern and immediate punishments.

 

I think one of the great things about football is that it has thus far resisted the TV-driven pressure to hyper-analyse every decision and just lets the game play in a natural way. The broadcasting companies paw over each equivocal call and work themselves into a lather about whether the official was definitely 'right' or 'wrong'. The referee is right, the decision is 'marginal' and we move on. We already have systems in place for reviewing referee performances and for contending red cards, why emasculate the referee further?

[Crouchie's Lawyer]

I think Tiggs has a point (sort of) with the electronic tags on boots and some form of robotic lino. Im sure it would be very expensive to fit, but would mean the game would be a lot more accurate. How often are goals given when the player is offside? Or offsides given for perfectly timed runs?

 

The ref would be given a signal if the player is stood in an offside position. Likewise, a simple chip in the ball and receptors on the posts\bar would indicate if the ball crossed the line. Challenges/fouls/bookings/sendings off should be left to human interpretation though.

[Hatch]

It should be trialed at least (should that be with 1 L or 2??). But only on measurable decisions (ball over line, fouls in/out of box etc)

 

Captains/Managers can only have one appeal per half. Once used that's it.

[chuz]

Weren't the FA going install Hawk-Eye technology into goalframes to help determine whether the ball has crossed the line or not and then pulled the plug at the last minute?

 

The problem was the cost of the technology. Around £250,000 per goal I think from memory. The debate was then whether the clubs paid for it or the FA. Of course the next issues is how far down the leagues does it go, because £500,000 x 92 is a lot of dough

 

No. No no no.

 

No.

 

Players will argue with the referee (and disrupt the flow) whether his decision his good or bad. This is because they have lost sight of the fact that the referee represents the rules of the game on the field of play. This won't be addressed by stripping the referee of his authority over decisions, but rather by backing up the hot air of the Respect campaign with some actual stern and immediate punishments.

 

I agree with this. But all it would take was the FA to rule that only the captain can address the referee and anyone else arguing gets an immediate booking. Anyone shouting at or arguing with the ref is booked. The captain can go up to the ref on his own to talk to him. Job done - three weeks of chaos then order restored.

[skintsaint]

just leave the game alone. Controversy and debate has been part of the game for years, gives the fans and pundits talking points and I think that if every decision was correct the game would get a bit boring I feel.