Introduce Technology Into Football

[Arcadian]

In rugby the only time the video ref comes into play is whether or not a try has been scored, meaning the ball is already dead, there are only two options, a try or a 5 meter scrum. It would spoil the flow of football if video challenges could be made during open play, and I expect some clever manager could somehow manipulate the system to waste time as they do now in substitutions with seconds left on the clock. But I do support goal-line technology with microchips. Maybe a better solution would be to train more competent referees and punish divers more severly.

[BaaBaa.]

The offside rule needs to be closely examined and then technology introduced to assist in the decisions - it is physically impossible to see when the ball is played whether a player is in an offside position as it requires being able to see two places at the same time; maybe the change needs to be being in an offside position when the player receives the ball?

I agree with most of what you said WL but if you could only receive the ball in an onside position it would completely ruin the game.

Half of what makes great players great is vision.

This would render the through ball useless, just imagine what it would take away from the great players game. ie Ronaldhino, Gerrard, Kaka, Zidane, Xavi etc

This wouldn't have been a goal.

[Wanderlust]

Yes you're right BaaBaa, I was just thinking as I typed about solutions to the offside decision problem. It has never been a very workable rule in all its guises, but is necessary to prevent 'goal hanging' - players staying up the field behind the defenders ready for a long pass for those of you who never heard the term before. All of the versions of the rule have had the same problem for the linesman needing two pairs of eyes, and appears to be the decision most often incorrectly made consequently. I am not sure how technology could help without disrupting the flow too much, as it would always require studying a replay from the correct angle, unless someone knows of another way? Also, if someone is incorrectly called offside when they are about to have a scoring opportunity, how do you deal with that after? Do they get a penalty? Free kick? Both would seem unfair on the other team. It is easier the other way round though - if a team scores and the other team challenges it as being offside correctly then the goal is wiped off. Maybe one of the rules will have to be that you can only challenge when a goal has been scored, rather than might have been.

[BaaBaa.]

Maybe one of the rules will have to be that you can only challenge when a goal has been scored, rather than might have been.

I'd agree with that.

The ball crossing the line thing needs chips ASAP, the Luis Garcia Liverpool v Chelsea goal being a perfect example.

It has now been proven that was a goal though.

[bubbly]

I'm on the fence with video technology! Easy to impliment in the top divisions but how far down the line do you go??? As it stands you can play sunday league or in the premiership and its the same game,same rules! That said,Chelsea would now be in the final if it was used last wednesday and they should have won it(you can assume they would have scored one of the pens they should have been awarded imo).Its never gonna be perfect and it sure ain't perfect now.
Offside should be "offside" regardless. If your on the pitch,you're involved with play!!!!
I agree with Baabaa on the chip in the ball thing. That would be cheap and easy to apply whatever level you play at. The Spurs Man U game springs to mind a couple of seasons ago!!!!