How many major decisions in a soccer game are observed to be wrong or at least questionable on instant replay? How many players have been awarded red cards for doing nothing or how many penalties were given based on the award-winning performance of attacking players? Referees are expected to observe, analyze, and make a decision in a microsecond. And sometimes, those decisions are wrong and, more often than not, decide the outcome of games. Take for example the recent Gold Cup, the first penalty awarded to Mexico. The ref thought that it was a hand ball and made a major decision in a microsecond that affected the outcome of the game. How differently that game would have went if the players, coaches, fans, and commentators knew that the referee had technology to back up the call, and used that technology. Maybe it would have led to a less embarrassing moment in soccer. I believe its time for soccer to adopt real-time reviews by officials of calls/plays that can significantly affect the outcome of a game.
With the ever-expanding role of technology, I believe that FIFA should adopt a policy of having real-time reviews using video technology that is overseen by an additional official. This official, with supporting technical staff, will instantaneously review plays and communicate the findings of the review to the center ref. This technology is already being used in the NFL to improve the accuracy of calls. Unlike the NFL, soccer games flow a little quicker and a little more continuously. In order to maintain the expected flow of the game, the Real-Time Official Reviews should have the following guidelines:
- Should only occur for calls/plays that result in a dead ball.
- Occur when the outcome of the game or a player’s status in that game could be severely affected (i.e. fouls, penalties, red cards, goals, offsides).
- The reviewing referee only has up to one minute to communicate to the center referee the review observations.
- The term observation is used for official reviews, because the official decision will still come from the center referee.
The fans in the stadium and the viewing public at home can see instant replays within 30 seconds of the incident from different angles. Many times, the inaccuracy of the referees call is easily apparent, but they do not use the technology available to ensure the integrity of the game, despite the sometimes perceived lack of it. It is believed that real-time reviews would have the following benefits:
- Ensure accurate and correct calls.
- An additional resource for referees to minimize the criticism following incorrect or missed calls.
- Provide an outcome that directly reflects the deserving team of the day and not a result of perceived referee influence.
- Reinforce the integrity of the game.
It is understandable that one of the criticisms of this new approach to the game of soccer is too much time would be wasted reviewing plays, but how many crucial plays occur during a game. With the requirement that the decision be rendered in less than 1 minute, it would only take approximately 5 minutes out of a game. And more realistically, the calls that are considered critical/significant to the game usually are followed by a 2 minute or more break in the play to either settle down players, provide medical treatment, or consult with other referees anyways. That time could be used to review the play and render an observation.
FIFA, soccer is ready and has been ready for technology. The use of Goal Line Technology since 2012 demonstrates the synergistic potential between the beautiful game and technological advancements. The next World Cup is in 2018 and the use of real-time reviews would ensure accurate and correct calls to keep the game beautiful.
SoccerMist 