courtesy thesoccerroom.com
When it comes to accuracy in calling sports, many programs have seen new technology play a role in the outcome of the game. Hawk-Eye, a system that works from a “triangular and 3D” view, has already been put in place for sports such as tennis.
Now, according to a recent article in Bloomberg Businessweek, “FIFA has identified nine goal-line technology systems to be tested in an attempt to find one that can be used for future matches.”
With this system realistically just around the corner for professional soccer worldwide, one can’t help but think how and if this technology may change soccer in general for even the high school, college and club levels down the road.
“With this technology, you take the human element out of the game,” said General Manager of Mockingbird Soccer Club Frank Peabody (Louisville, KY), a soccer club for all ages and levels of competitive soccer. “It’s great for the game itself. My concern is what does it take away from what we know and love about soccer in the world? Soccer has no time outs, and that’s one of the best things about soccer. If we can implement it without interfering with the game, I’m okay with it.”
Goal Line Technology, a system that determines the exact time the ball hits and goes over the goal line, is a viable option for soccer as a whole after controversial calls such as in the 2010 World Cup when England was denied a goal against Germany. With conflicting opinions on goal line technology, FIFA is looking for technology that is “recognition of free shots on goal, with 100 percent accuracy required, as well as static and dynamic accuracy tests, to 90 percent accuracy in the first phase.” (businessweek.com)
And even after the technology is determined, will it be implemented to the student athletes and club athletes across the world?
That play is still in the air.
“I really think it will depend on the dollar associated with it (the technology),” said Peabody. “Additional referees have been added in the past to games to offer another set of eyes. With this technology, I could see colleges implementing it (Division I), but maybe not smaller colleges with smaller budgets. With running a club, I don’t think it would be added here. It would add a lot more expenses. (That type of decision) is based around expenses.”
Peabody, a soccer player himself, knows how much referees have played an important part of the game itself.
“I think that from a player’s standpoint you want referees to be right and fair consistently. It’s hard to ask anyone to never make an error. Growing up, referees’ judgments have always been a part of the game. Whether they are right or wrong, you had to talk to the team and athletes about it. Whether or not the call is right, you had to deal with it.”
And with this decision for goal line technology pending, the International Football Association Board (IFAB) will look to approve systems by next summer. (guardian.co.uk/football).
Ultimately, Peabody says there are pros and cons as FIFA moves forward in researching this idea for the game.
Said Peabody: “This technology would make soccer more mainstream. In this country (USA), Americans are about instant replay. Yet, soccer is the world’s game. I don’t know how it would go overall worldwide. If the technology can make the play be evaluated instantaneously, and it’s done right away, great, if not, you’re changing the game too much.”
About Sarah Menefee, CSJ writer
