Soccer: Goal Line Technology

Does goal line technology ultimately benefit the sport of soccer? Goal Line Technology is a matter that has carefully been examined because of the opposing controversial arguments that exist. Soccer goal line technology features cameras that will determine whether or not the complete circumference of the ball has crossed the goal line, and it will send an instant alert to the referee allowing him to quickly determine the call. The International Federation of Football Association (FIFA) still remains unsure whether it would be appropriate to incorporate this technology around the world. In Joshua Robinson’s article, ” Goal-Line Help For Referees,” goal line technology is favored because it will assist the officiating crews by eliminating blown calls that affect the game negatively. He states technology will be a positive addition to the game as a whole. The game will be more advanced, keeping up to date with current modern times. On the other hand, the exclusion of this technology is viewed as positive idea. While Robinson beliefs that goal line technology is a great contribution to the game, other authors such as Daniel King and Peter Higgs believe the game needs to remain technology free. In King and Higg’s article “Soccer Says No to Goal-Line Technology,” Traditionalism and Human error are praised because that’s the way the game has been played for decades. He makes it clear that goal line technology is not really necessary because it brings more excitement, and it makes the game a lot more interesting by providing controversy. Even though both articles state that it would ultimately be beneficial for referees calling the game; Robinson’s article depicts the positive effects of goal line technology, while King and Higgs article contributes the ideal that urges the sport to remain as is. Goal line technology in soccer is a very controversial issue that has many different perspectives on whether or not it should be implemented into the sport. In the sport of soccer, referees are the most impacted with the advancement of this new technology because they are the ones who are directly affecting the outcome of the game. In Robinson’s article, FIFA’s head of refereeing Massimo Bussaca states that “The referees will realize that they are on the pitch they don’t have to be concentrated anymore on the goal line” (Robinson N.p.). There will be relief for referees knowing that they can count on this technology to make the correct call. The technology will also be beneficial by giving them one less thing to worry about on the soccer field. Even though it may beneficial, others believe that this is not the case. In King’s article, FIFA general secretary Jerome Valcke questions that “Why should we have technology in a game where the main part should be humans - players and referees… that’s the beauty of the game and that’s what keeps people talking at pubs and keeps the game alive” (King and Higgs N.p.). This supports the fact that it is okay for referees to make mistakes; it is part of the game. It is nearly impossible to not make mistakes; after all they are just human. This infers that all these mistakes and controversial decisions are what make the game enjoyable; it provides people with a topic of discussion for the public. Without a doubt, the Soccer referees are the ones that are most affected by this whole goal line technology situation. Referees are very interested because it would benefit their job directly, giving them one less responsibility on the soccer field. In Robinson’s article, World Class English referee Howard Webb states, “We have a lot of trust in the system… it is a welcome addition” (Robinson N.p.). He is giving a voice to other refs, agreeing to the technology. Referees are clearly in favor of the addition of goal line technology, providing them with some sort of relief when it comes to decision-making. In addition to relieving them from more responsibility, it also affects them by making them feel guilty when they make a bad call. In King’s article, FA chief executive from Scotland Gordon Smith claims that “Traditionalism is something that is strong in the game. We should be looking beyond this human element side of it because the human that suffers the most when the decision is incorrect is the referee” (King and Higgs N.p.). He is referring to the person who commits the error in this case the referee is the one that has the most regret and feels the worst about the situation. It’s hard to imagine that the person you see as the villain, in this case the ref is actually the most affected by the situation. Goal line technology in soccer is almost eminent and it seems as if it is just a matter of time. Even though technology is around the corner, there are several leagues in different country’s that don’t feel that the technology is ready to be implemented into the game. Robinsons article states that “Germany’s Bundesliga has resisted implementing the technology, which it believes to be imperfect” (Robinson N.p.). The German Bundesliga isn’t completely convinced with the technology; they feel that the technology is not that big of a deal. The Bundesliga is one of the best soccer leagues in the world; the league includes world-class teams such as FC Bayern Munich, Borrusia Dortmund and Shalke 04. Despite of this the Bundesliga refuses to comply with this technological advancement. On the other the hand, The UEFA Europa league, the most important league in the world that involves the top teams from all over Europe, feels the need to have goal line technology present for the better of the game. The Europa league’s teams have a very distinct perspective on goal line technology to that of the German Bundesliga. The league would like to see technology be included into the play as soon as possible. King and Higg’s article highlights that “70 percent had seen no improvement in the decision- making”(King and Higgs N.p). The article shows the unconformity that the players have with just the officials calling the game. The article adds on “Of the 31 club captains in the competition who responded to a recent survey… 90 per cent supported goal line technology”(King and Higgs N.p). The overwhelming majority in the league would like to see the technology in the game up and running. The fact that the majority of the league stands in favor of goal line technology, leads you to believe that it will be instated in the near future. A major debate still exists whether the goal line technology is really necessary for the game of soccer. Robinson, King and Higgs are all in favor that the new technology will ultimately be beneficial to referees by helping them get the calls right. They are the most the most affected by their mistakes and it would be great to give them a hand with the decision-making. Robinson article supports the unquestionable inclusion of goal line technology, for it will affect the game in a by relieving the pressure from the refs. This will decrease the possibility of portraying them as the villains of the game. In the contrary King and Higg’s article shares the belief that the technology is not ready to be introduced into the sport of soccer, for it has not had the proper testing to completely convince those opposing the technology. It questions the efficiency to perform consistently; it infers that technology is not necessary for the sport. In the sense of wanting the game to stay original, and not have it updated to modern times. Despite finding both articles very credible and strong when it comes to each ones respective beliefs. Robinson’s article was really convincing because everything is positively affecting the game and all the people who revolve around soccer. When it comes to goal line technology Robinson made it very clear as to why it is more beneficial if it is to be implemented into the game. After looking deeper into this controversial issue it has become very clear that technology in soccer is going to be a major contribution to the sport and all of those involved. Goal line technology will most likely be implemented everywhere into the game in a foreseeable future. There is no time to waste if the decision is for improving the game of soccer.

Works Cited Robinson, Joshua. "ARENA --- World Cup 2014: Goal-Line Help For Referees." Wall Street Journal (2014): 1-2. ProQuest. Web. 22 July 2014. King, Daniel, and Peter Higgs. "Soccer Says NO to Goal-line Technology." Mail On Sunday [U.K.] 3 July 2010, Sport sec.: 1-3. Print.