UEFA or FIFA, I forget which, have always said that the use of post game officiating undermines the ref and that's a big reason why they don't consider it. Never understood that attitude. What does undermine a ref is players/managers talking back or swearing at them and referees getting crucial decisions wrong. I've always felt that football won't take the ideas from rugby (or elsewhere) because they want to be seen as having the best sport in the world where they do things the best way already and things implemented in other sports are because they can't do it properly in the first place. Rugby's a slower game, but there's a whole lot more things to officiate both on and off the ball. Instead of refusing to help the ref because it undermines him, they give him the help and, more often than not, they get the calls right. Linesmen are important and are used. 4th official is used to look at footage and help the ref. The ref speaks to the players he chooses to speak to and only Captains may approach the ref otherwise. The ref is mic'd up and commentators can listen in - and share with the audience for the big calls or when talking to the players. Players know they're being listened to and need to be careful. The other big argument used against video refs is that it'll slow the game down. Seriously. The amount of time wasted by the ref back-peddling from a horde of players swearing and arguing with him, he could have consulted the video ref (or linesman) and got the correct decision. That would also make any arguing players look like idiots on the big TV and give that pathetic ego a beating down. Twats. Divers? Shown up on instant replays for what they are. Que booing from the entire stadium, no decision gone their way, a yellow card for attempting to deceive and a face full of mud for their effort. Good job chump
By the end of this year it'll be 18 years, been lucky enough to start just as astro was the standard, played a few grass games but not many. Been playing today as well, lost 4-2, having an absolutely wretched season this year. Not enough players to sustain the club, we got 4 men's teams, 2 Women's and we're going with bare 11s almost each week and with players who aren't good enough. I myself having been playing for 2 teams this year, 2nd and 3rd team, had to play for both teams just before Christmas both with no subs, so 140mins of hockey. But I scored a blistering goal today on the Olympic pitch against an old friend in the opposition net. So there was something for me today. Like you say the games becoming a lot quicker, on a waterbased pitch today and the game was very quick and gives a big advantage to quick skilful players who can move the ball fast. Great for me. GK's still regularly take forwards out OT; saw today that having 2 umpires doesn't always help. The two had a discussion today over a decision and still came out with the wrong call. But most of our umpires don't receive a great deal of training and its mostly done from experience.
