BF2S Forums Does FIFA Hate Technology?

I say this becuse I get the strange feeling that FIFA officials remind me of my own mother. Psudo-technologically-able, certainly able to learn but completely unwilling to do so or accept technology just... because. Some unspoken principle that I've never fully understood. I mean, my generation was the one that grew up with the Terminator movies so what's got up their collective arses?

I ask why because it seems, increasingly, that referees are getting it wrong. I suppose I chose now to write this even though I've been planning to write it for a while, but the England goal-or-not-to-goal against Germany is a prime example of when technology could help. Another example is the hated practice of diving, the Italians doing so in two ways that world champion teams seem to do, (har har.) I used to blame referees but their job is bloody hard and the only help they get are from people who're standing even further away from the action than they are.

But it doesn't have to be hard. I'm not sure how many of you have heard of HawkEye, a system to near flawlesly, (I say near even though by my reckoning it is flawless,) determine whether a goal has been scored or if fouls have been committed.

But FIFA won't have a bar of it and they've given many reasons, none of which are satisfactory.

First of all it was this gem from Sepp Blatter regarding the aforementioned HawkEye system:

"Other errors in appreciation of distances, television cameras cannot do it because they are from different angles and that's why in football the goal-line technology, and the system of the HawkEye, is not accurate."

He said this, obviously, without actually looking into the system or it's capabilities. I won't go into them but suffice to say, the HawkEye system is not just a high-speed camera pointing at the goal line.

So poor HawkEye I guess. But there are other technologies, some that probably aren't as good as HawkEye but would certainly help the accuracy of decisions. Most sports have video umpires. But Sepp's not interested.

"The laws of the game are 124 years old and the referee's decision has always been final."

This is where I think he shows his most promising streak of old-man-ism and also completely kicks himself in the nads. The referees decision may be final on the playing field but referee decision making is scrutinised for years in the media, at the pub, by teams, coaches, announcers, officials, FIFA itself. Referee's decisions are hardly respected any more.

Furthermore the referee's decision would still BE final if technology were introduced. The HawkEye system, (I know I keep returning to this one,) does send a beep to the Ref's earpiece to tell him a goal's been scored but even then the Ref would have the final say. And really contested goals don't come around that often really, most of the time referees make correct decisions regarding when goals are scored at least. It just makes their job that little bit easier.

But FIFA are against technological improvements in a 124 year old game. Never mind that since the game began rules have changed as has technology regarding playing surface, the ball, the players, their uniforms not to mention tactics and training. The game is not played the same today as it was 124 years ago and the only bit of technology that has really remained unchanged is the referee's bloody whistle.

Goal scoring isn't even really the real problem in my opinion anyway, it's the shameless diving and crying to get penalties, in fact it seems to be the only way certain teams can even get goals any more. Time and time again refereees have been duped by people falling down in ways that would suggest they were allergic to the other team, ways that look so fake it couldn't possibly fool anyone. But refs are still duped and I don't blame them, there are a lot of things to consider, they looking away, the are distracted and the won't neccesarily see some guy blatantly fall over clutching his untouched ankle to try and get a penalty. Think how simple it would be to have a video ref point out deliberate dives. No fancy system needed really, the dives aren't exaclty subtle.

But FIFA won't even entertain that and while their reaons are numerous, (and they have included cost, practicality, tradition, accuracy of technology and somehow lessening a referee's power among others,) really there is no reason not to have such technology in play, especially for a competition that, in many people's view, outclasses the Olympics in terms of its importance.

The only explination I can see is just a complete dislike of technology and I don't see it as okay for this group of old men to let this personal opinion inflict on the masses enjoyment of the game.

I don't think much will change really. I mean Hell, in the NZ game against Italy Shane Smeltz's goal probably wouldn't have been allowed but nor would have Daniele De Rossi's shameful act of taking a dive, England still would have probably lost against Germany and Tim Cahill and Harry Kewell probably would still have found a way to get suspended, (not neccesarily on the field,) at least if I know Aussies the way I do... but this sour feeling after important matches shouldn't happen. Sure, a disappointment at a loss and eleation at a win, (or in NZ's case a "not loss",) but not the doubt that "oh this and that call was wrong and this guy fell down intentionally etc. etc. etc." or the regret that if not for a mistaken referee's unaided decision something great could have happened.

Because to me that has more chance of ruining football than the addition of any technology. Get with the fucking times FIFA.