I’ve purposely held this story for a few days in order to let inflamed passions simmer down. As many of you (I hope) are aware, FC Barcelona beat Chelsea FC last week in the second leg of the Champions League semi-finals; Barça now goes on to face Manchester United FC in the final in Rome. What concerns us here at CrunchGear is the use of technology in the game of European football (soccer), specifically the use of instant video replay by referees.
Guus Hiddink, Chelsea’s caretaker manager, came out at the weekend in favor of video replay in games. It’d work like it does in the NFL: a coach wants to challenge a play or ref’s decision, ok, but you only have a finite number of challenges; the exact number would be up to UEFA, all-powerful, all-knowing.
What I’d like to know is, why not? What’s the big deal with allowing a short break in the action—it’s not like the game doesn’t stop when substitutions are made, right?—if it leads to the correct calls being made? (I think Chelsea only had one penalty, and that was the Piqué handball; this can be debated in your local pub till the sun runs out of hydrogen, however.)
I think it’s time UEFA get with the program and embrace the video replay, to say nothing of goal line technology (that would determine if the ball went over the line or not). But Newcastle probably has a better chance of staying up than UEFA ever doing anything helpful, I’m afraid.
no i’m not in favor of this stupid video replay thing because it kills the beauty of this game, what i mean is it would kill all the arguments and debates etc. now at least if the team u support loses u could say its because of the referee and thats what makes football beautiful and make football fans get furious, so NOOOOOOO
Please, go here, and absorb the lesson: http://www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2002/10/11/
The beauty of the sport is being able to play the blame game? Thats terrible. Actual athletes would own up to their mistakes, and I can see how it infuriates them to have bad calls not in their favor, which is why a video replay system makes perfect sense.
And the period comic thing is hilarious.
i dont mean like just blamin, but u know fans from teams arguing over the referee’s decisions, it gives a special flavor to the game
It’s time to change the name of football (US) to rugby for chickens, and realize that football is a game you play with your feet.
If you ask Nic why he thinks video reply is right, he will say because Americans do it. “It’d work like it does in the NFL”. Sorry, controversy is part of the game. That why the game is fun.
exactly
All video replay changes is that now the referees can see the replay (and potentially change the call) during the game rather than later that day. Fans can still argue the quality of the call.
Take for example the infamous hand of god ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DbbsytHDp2o ) and say that the play can be and is reviewed, there are two possible outcomes: the goal is allowed, or it is called back. If it is allowed the English fans can argue that it should have been called back. If it is called back the Argentinians can say it should have been a goal. Controversy and arguments abound.
YESSSSSSSSSSSSS we need this people that bid on football games are destroying the game and forcing those results – same goes with UEFA theyr just money hungry and stuff up the results.
Video reply is a MUST if you want a fair game. For the people that love this sport to argue about results – dont worry you would still be able to do so and argue the video ref’s decision.
As for killing the game – it would do anything but that short breaks is part of any game specially when they sub or player goes down or the ball needs to be replaced. They should be given a number of chances and ONLY stops for major incidents such as PK or red cards – the rest can be dealt with like now including 2nd yellow cards, etc..
We want a fair game just like tennis & rugby.
BIG YES to this.
First, PAY the officials! Even shit players make £50,000/week, the FA can’t pony up £100,000/year for a professional referee (current base pay is £30k)? All FIFA countries should pay officials white collar wages.
I believe Video review of the goal line and straight red cards should be mandatory. I also don’t mind the idea of a few “Manager’s challenges” to be allowed per game.
If this were the case, Fletcher would have been dropped to a yellow, Abidal wouldn’t have been carded at all (Anelka would have been booked for diving), and Chelsea would have had a penalty kick for Pique’s handball on a manager’s challenge.
I agree with everything you just wrote. Professionals referees would be a big step in the right direction.