Goal Line Technology: A Help or Hindrance?

October 8, 2008

It is a debate that has left many football fans and pundits alike divided in this country. Would the use of goal line technology be beneficial to the English game?

There has been talk for some years now around the possibility of introducing technology that could decide controversial incidents such as whether a ‘goal’ should be awarded or not. This would appear to be a welcome introduction to the game as it would finally enable a goal to be given using conclusive evidence. Big decisions at the highest level can sometimes be the difference between winning and losing. Relegation and survival.

There have been numerous examples in recent seasons when the awarding of a goal has affected, not just the result of the match, but the outcome of a team‘s season. Take Blackburn Rovers’ match vs. West Ham United during the 2006/7 Premier League season for example. The Hammers, who were involved in a relegation dogfight throughout the campaign, came away from Ewood Park with 3 valuable points. However the ’goal’ that won it should not have stood. After a goal mouth scramble in the Blackburn box, a goal bound effort from Bobby Zamora was blocked on the line by then team mate, Carlos Tevez. Television replays clearly showed that Tevez had not only blocked the shot on the goal line, but was also in an offside position. Nevertheless, referee Howard Webb and his assistant deemed it a goal. The appeals from Blackburn players and fans were waved away and West Ham went on to win the game 2-1. It could be argued that this victory gave West Ham the crucial few points that helped them avoid relegation. Had goal line technology been used during this incident, the goal would not have stood. The fact that it did had a huge bearing on the final league positions that season. Supporters of Watford, Charlton Athletic and Sheffield United may have felt less aggrieved had West Ham not picked up those points. These teams may also have had more of a fighting chance against relegation.

More recently, refereeing decisions have increased the pressure on the FA to introduce goal line technology. During the Championship game between Watford and Reading game (20/09/08) Reading were awarded a goal in truly bizarre circumstances. A header which landed 3 yards wide of the post was given as a goal, initially by linesman Nigel Bannister. Although his view was obstructed, Mr Bannister’s judgement has to be called into question if he could not distinguish between a goal or a goal kick. Match referee Stuart Attwell, who was well placed during the incident also has to take responsibility for agreeing with his assistant’s decision.
However obvious it looked to everyone who saw it, a simple stoppage in the game to view a replay would allow the referee to make the correct decision.

As good as goal line technology may sound to some, cynics (myself included) believe that it would make football less of a spectacle. Football is loved by millions of people across the country. The reason fans like myself go to matches week in week out is because we want to be entertained. Skill, passion, high tempo action is what football is about. As is controversy. As much as fans and players hate big decisions going against them, it gives people something to talk about. Schools, homes and work places would be a lot less interesting if we couldn’t talk about incidents that occurred during the weekend’s football. Fans enjoy voicing their opinions and grievances about what they’ve seen. If we were to introduce modern technology to a game that’s origins date back to medieval times, it may not turn out as we hoped.

It’s said that change happens. Well some of us in football would like to keep things the same…..

Ed Castle

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