Article Blog 2: Video Replay in Soccer (January 24, 2010)

In the article, “Fifa May Implement Video Replay Technology, Says Sepp Blatter,” (see link: http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/jan/24/video-replay-technology-sepp-blatter) the British newspaper, The Guardian, writes that in the midst of all this commotion surrounding the recent match between France and Ireland that ended as Thierry Henry’s controversial handball set up the game winning goal in their World Cup qualifying playoff last November, Fifa president, Sepp Blatter, is beginning to believe that video replay in soccer may benefit the fairness of the game. This is ironic considering “Blatter has previously spoken out against the use of cameras, saying it would disrupt the flow of the game.” As more and more controversial calls continue in major soccer matches, Blatter is beginning to realize the importance of incorporating goal-line cameras after this summer’s World Cup.

One reading this article may be asking what exactly Fifa incorporating video replay along the goal-line has to do with technology and society. It is important to realize that soccer is the world’s most popular sport and that many would like to see improvements made to the game’s fairness. Corry Cropper writes in his article, “FIFA and Video Replay… NOT,” (see link: http://www.thesportsacademic.com/2009/11/fifa-and-video-replay-not.html) that while Fifa officials insist on adding extra officials behind each goal, it will still cause disruptions in the flow of the game as would consulting video replay, which is a major concern for Blatter. Before Blatter acknowledged that incorporating technology in soccer may be best, most Fifa officials opposed the idea. At that time, Cropper wrote in opposition of the extra official behind the goal and in favor of technology by saying, “What's worse, instead of simply consulting a video screen (or a replay official), the referee will consult with the sideline official and now one positioned behind the goal and waste time discussing what they saw without the help of slow motion or multiple angles. This conference process may actually be slower and more disruptive than straight video replay.” Like many soccer fans, Cropper wants to see the games called in a fair way. Soccer matches too often end in controversial calls that could be assisted with technology. The millions of fans would, as a result, be more accepting towards game-changing calls. For example, fans of the Irish national team would have paid large sums of money to have technology, especially goal-line video replay, a part of the game last November as they missed out on a chance to receive a bid to the 2010 World Cup after they lost on a controversial handball. Seeing technology become a part of soccer may not actually disrupt the game. In reality, it will benefit the fairness and equality of the game, but most importantly, the fans will be more satisfied by knowing that a controversial call can be justified through the use of technology.