SCFC @ Wembley | Blog - Technology IS the future

Technology IS the future

By reholmes27 (@reholmes27)

The debate has gone on long enough, with more frequent calls for it to be brought in, that the governing bodies have to now be seen to take action. I understand the arguments against its use and I wouldn't advocate a method that loses the beauty of the game but I do believe there is a compromise.

Lets just take a moment to understand why now is the time. Traditionally football is a working class game, a game that provided relief to the masses after a tough weeks work. It's a game that continues to provide spectators with a place to release tensions and frustrations. Ignoring the extremes, that do continue to exist, this element of the game must not be lost. We're a country that enjoys a debate and what better debate on a Monday morning than refereeing decisions and players pushing boundaries. Where would our media be without it? WIth that said the game has moved on and we as fans, the media and the governing bodies need to adapt to this change and embrace what it has brought to the game.

Money makes the world go round, for the purposes of this article, money makes the football world go round. TV money has transformed the game to a place that I can't see us returning from, at least not in my lifetime. It has brought about a new approach to the game, which in turn has led to greater calls for technology to be introduced. Football is a business, it always has been, but the financial reward for remaining in the Premier League has provided investors with a more attractive business than during my childhood. The Championship and League 1 are now a graveyard of failed businesses as teams have stretched themselves to try and reach the pot of gold on offer. We shouldn't underestimate how lucky we are to have a local businessman, who is also a fan of the club, in charge. We are led to believe Stoke have a very sound business model and there's no reason for us to doubt this. The fact we are heading into a 4th Premiership season is testament to this but it hasn't been easy. We have taken plenty of criticism from the media and opposing managers and fans for our style of football but, to summarise, the Grim Reaper is not knocking on our door ready to take us down. So how does all this relate to technology?

Despite the business model we follow, on and off the pitch, it could still have been taken out of our hands with decisions that go against us. Human error is part of the game and it's that that provides the debate we all enjoy taking part in but I don't buy the argument it evens it self out during the season. That debate is for another day, but the rewards and potential losses in football today, mean we have to eliminate more human error than we have in today's game. There is, in my opinion, a compromise for every side of the argument. I don't want to see managers given so many referrals per game, like hawk eye in tennis, or captains to be able to discuss decisions with players before calling for referral, like they do in cricket. It works for those sports but not for football. The goal-line official has been tested and has only gone to show human error exists wherever you stand. The final point I'd like to avoid is undermining referees, at a time they are already heavily scrutinised. The answer, for me, is to provide video technology for the officials to use only. It allows them to relieve the pressure on themselves, ensuring the correct result is achieved. It would be entirely up to the officials if and when it's used, maintaining the possibility for discussion points. An official knows, whether it's the Arsenal team surrounding him or a sly Ronaldo wink, that a decision maybe wrong and all they need to do is refer to a 5th official, continuing play, if the ball remains alive. Spectators, players and managers need not even know a decision has been referred, until it's overturned.

If, and I believe when, technology is introduced, it needs to fit into the current culture of the game and keep the historic traditions alive. I see no need to go overboard with chips in balls or complicate the issue with Wimbledon style challenge counts when we have the chance to assist the officials and allow teams and fans to get the rewards that are deserved on the day.

Created on 02/05/2011.