similar sponsor-led campaign for bigger goalposts gained some support ahead of the 1994 World cup in the United States, before FIFA eventually rejected it under pressure from traditionalists. However, League bosses and Capital One have solved the problem by guaranteeing the controversial goalposts will only be wheeled out for extra-time. Under new competition rules, the goal posts will be extended by 50 per cent immediately after the full-time whistle. If no goal has been scored after the first period of extra time, then they will be extended further until double the original size. Football League bosses sanctioned the new goalposts for next season, at the request of US-based competition sponsors Capital One. Executives at the credit card company were bowled over by the success of the first season of the cup but wanted the tournament to follow other US-based sports, which avoid ties at all costs. A Football League spokesman said: âWe feel this is a really exciting innovation, and are delighted to be able to make this happen in the Capital One Cup next season.â However the new rules have not been welcomed by some players.Bradfordâs Matt Duke, who faced more periods of extra-time than any other player last year, was the first to try out the new goals. But the 6ft 5in keeper gave the giant posts a MASSIVE thumbs down. The hero of Bradfordâs epic Wembley cup adventure rapped: âItâs yet another rule-change designed to make life tougher for goalies. âFirst they banned us from picking up backpasses and made us use our feet! âThen it was match-balls, as light as beach balls, which swerve all over the place. âNow they want to tamper with the size of the goalposts. Itâs a joke! âImagine the damage Robin van Persie is going to do if he has a 16-yard goal to aim at! âUnder test conditions I was diving at full stretch in the 50 per cent bigger posts and the ball was still beating me... by yards. âIn the double-sized goals it was farcical. I couldnât have reached the majority of shots if Iâd been on roller-skates! âIt borders on being anti-goalie and I think itâs shocking theyâre pushing this through so soon. âThey say itâs only going to be for the Capital One Cup competition. But how long before we see it introduced to the World Cup finals?â Michael Woodburn of Capital One said:âWe look forward to seeing the new goal posts in operation during the first round in August.â Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepag...er-if-ties-need-extra-time.html#ixzz2PAgZ3oVl
I would like radio-controlled goals that sink down when Lampard takes a free kick....oh, no need...he misses anyway
Not big enough. If they want to fully exploit the potential of minor cup ties, they should make the net encompass the entirety of the endline, while providing defenders with an armoured car. Nothing says excitement like watching someone hoof one from halfway in the general direction of the net shortly before a ten-tonne vehicle plows them over.
