“Sepp Blatter apologised? Don’t want apologies, just want a)
goal-line technology and video playback and b) his resignation.”

This is one of the many comments published on social networking
sites today after Sepp Blatter, Fifa president, announced in a press conference
that world soccer’s governing body would consider the introduction of goal-line
technology at a meeting next month.

Many have called for the introduction of technology in soccer
following a series of refereeing errors in World Cup matches – notably in the
England-Germany game on Sunday.

Even Wimbledon star Roger Federer supports
goal-line technology in soccer, though he does not approve of the use of
technology in tennis. Federer told Sports News: “So many goals are disallowed
that are goals and others are not counted that would be goals. It’s frustrating
as a fan.”

Sias du Plessis, 5FM sports commentator, has a different view: “I
think that the ‘human error’ factor is a part of football and that it works both
ways – it does not favour anyone all the time, so leave sport alone and allow
referees to make up their own minds.

“It (goal-line technology) slows the game down and takes away the
human element; I mean if everything was clear cut, what would be left to talk
about? Technology works for some sports, like rugby, but it has robbed cricket
of the human aspect. It has made certain sport very dull and too clear
cut.”

More comments

» Blatter saying there’s no need for goal-line
technology is like your grandpa saying the internet’s pointless.

» Fifa, forget an expensive
goal-line technology rollout, simply have linesmen use their eyes.

»
Just bring two more referees to the back of the nets! Or use the replay video to
determine a goal. The screen is in every stadium. What is the floating and
flying camera in the stadium for?

» I am a
staunch supporter of hawkeye-like technology for goals. The technology is
available and it wouldn’t interrupt the game at all – it will simply buzz the
official when the ball crosses the line. For offsides, I am undecided. Generally speaking, I’m opposed. You
cannot review every offsides decision. However, whether or not one should go
back to determine if there was an offsides when a goal was scored is a unique
situation. Unfortunately, I think doing that would cause linemen to let the
closer decisions run their course, because they know the goal will be overturned
if the player was really offside. For everything else, I am opposed. However, I
am a staunch support of using video replay to punish diving post-match.