Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Goal line technology in European football

Goal line technology has been used for quite some time in various sports such as cricket, tennis and snooker. Goal line technology differs from the system which is used in the NHL. The NHL has a video review system which basically consists of reviewing a play by using the cameras surrounding and inside the net to determine whether a goal has been scored or not. Goal line technology is a system which is more complex and possibly more accurate. Recently the International Football Association Board (IFAB) has approved the first phase of this new technology to be put into effect. Three computerized systems have been proposed which include the Hawk-Eye, Cairos GLT and Goalminder systems.


(Retrieved from: O-post)

The Hawk-Eye system  is a complex computer system used to visually track the trajectory of the ball and display a record of its most statistically likely path as a moving image.

The Cairos GLT system uses a magnetic field to track a ball with a sensor suspended inside. Thin cables are installed in the turf of the penalty area and behind the goal line. The sensor inside the ball measures these magnetic fields when the ball comes close to them and the transmitter inside the ball sends the measured date to a couple of receiver antennas which are located behind the goal posts. This determines if the ball has passed the goal line, and if so, the referee is then notified on his watch by an encrypted radio signal.

Lastly, the Goalminder a system that uses high speed cameras built into the goal posts and cross bar to record images at 2000 frames per second and deliver visual evidence to the referee, in less than five seconds, to settle a goal line controversy. This system is would be somewhat similar to the video reviewing in the NHL.

The International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) has been debating on and off since 2005 as to whether this system should be implemented in the game or not due to recent goals that were missed by referees in the last 2010 FIFA World Cup and in various games this season in the Barclay's Premier League. FIFA is still debating that implementing this new technology will take away from the game.  Although there are some setbacks, such as stopping the game for review (something that never happens in soccer, the clock keeps ticking, then injury time is added at the end of each half), there are more positive outcomes than negative ones. I believe that it will increase fairness, competitiveness and accuracy to the game. I'm not exactly sure how corrupt the soccer world is today, but this would definitely help eliminate the possibility of bribing referees to favour one side. What do you guys think? Is technology a good or a bad idea?

2 comments:

  1. I think this move by the soccer world is a very smart and ethical thing to do. For many years controversy has struck several games and caused mass outrage. For instance, the match between Portugal and Azerbaijan where a bicycle-kick scored by Cristiano Ronaldo was not be seen by the referee and therefore was not counted. Situations like this happen a lot in the world of soccer, and new technologies like this will hopefully quench the need for soccer justice.

    The bicycle kick:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MMgD7LvkPnA

    ReplyDelete
  2. I agree soccer does need goal line technology in order to successfully referee games correctly. Soccer has changed so much and has had so many controversies in goals and penalties that have changed the game and decisions. I think soccer also needs video reply to help referees in making decisions in those close games. Video reply would help solve those calls and goals that the referees sometimes miss and reduce diving as well as illegal plays. A lot of people do think this will slow down the pace of the game but I think the game has changed so much to the point where goal line technology and video is a must.

    ReplyDelete