With the poor officiating witnessed in so many matches at all levels, the devastating impact that bad (or no) decisions can have on a player/club and the discontent/anger they bring to disillusioned fans, it's time football moved into the present age and took a leaf out of the books of tennis, cricket and rugby. Here are what surely must be regarded by all football fans as essential changes to the game: 1. The referee should be able to call for video evidence if he is unsure about a decision 2. Both captains should have the right to call for video evidence if they feel a serious injustice has been done. Each captain to have a maximum of 3 calls in a game (including extra time in cup matches) Similar rules have been shown to be very successful in those sports in which they have been introduced. Once everyone has seen the video evidence, or know that video evidence has been reviewed with no bias, resentment of bad decisions becomes a thing of the past
Give the ref an i-pad or i-phone, should be no problem to generate instant replays for him Maybe now that Blatter and Platini are gone we might get some real movement forward with FIFA
I doubt some Arab prince or whoever takes over will be any better. The only problem I have with the use of replays is that in rugby it has led to players being penalized for minors infringements. The big question i have is where do you draw the line? I would imagine it could end up with teams challenging a throw in the ninetieth minute just to waste time.
Works fine in rugby as the clock is stopped for almost every break in play. Would football want to go down that route. I think fans just love to have something to moan about whether it be a dodgy refereeing or how much added time here should be. Football is flawed in many ways but I think that is what makes it what it is. I think that is what football fans love about the game where as rugby doesn't have that. I rarely hear rugby fans moan about the referee costing them the game. It kind of makes rugby slightly boring. If the big hits and the rare pieces of ingenious skill were taken out of rugby it would be a very boring game.
I agree. If all decisions were spot on we'd have nothing to talk about! And much as I hate to disagree with Ron, I wouldn't use the word devastating for an impact of a wrong decision. Sure it can harm clubs but teams don't go down due to poor officiating. If you get relegated it is because you never got points in other games. Pedantic of me maybe but I'm really not a fan of using that word to describe sporting misfortune - death of a competitor (human or animal) aside.
Have honestly been yelling for something like this for a long time, but football fans I know keep telling me "it will interfere with the flow of the game"? I think that's balls myself, but there you are, there are loads of fans who would be against introducing video interventions. However, something has got to be done, some decisions this season have been appalling,
I wouldn't allow the teams to call for review I would simply have all premiership matches watched by a fifth official on TV with replay facility. Should the referee feel something needs clarification he pauses the game and stops the clock whilst the official offers advice, his advice can than be clear such as a clear penalty according to rules of the game, no penalty or inconclusive in which the benefit goes to the defending side. In offsides the benefit goes to the attacking side if inconclusive. The 5th official can also buzz the referee if he feels any off the ball incidents or dangerous play has taken place. This framework will keep the match flowing better than team calls which if limited to 3 may not be fair anyhow if there are 5 calls in a match. It also allows the Ref total control which is essential. Obviously it would be good to have all matches run in this way but some lower league side may not be able to support the extra cost and technology required as some really do work on a tight budget.
Rugby is only boring to the untrained eye. The nuances are many, and intricacies of the game are probably a bit too perplexing for the average round ball fancier to take in. What you have to remember, is that the supporter of the round ball game is still just getting used to sitting at the match. He still has a lot to learn, so it's understandable that he struggles with anything a little on the complicated side. Poor fellow. And rugby is the game they play in heaven you know!
I'm not actually referring to what happens on the pitch. The general "pub talk" is a massive dimension to the game of football to which would be diluted by every discussion being correct.
"And rugby is the game they play in heaven you know! " - Erm, thought it was cricket, Cyc? Well, I've certainly got an untrained eye for Rugby, but I love the game and have (very) slowly learnt a bit about it. Also, to brag a bit, I've been to a Rugby League Final at Wembley once and saw Wigan's great Billy Boston**. And, would you believe it, I visited Rugby School with a fellow trainee colleague of mine and a former pupil there. Not much on Public Schools myself, but I was impressed with the place. All this donkey's years ago! ** http://www.100greatblackbritons.com/bios/billy_boston.htm
