Offside law - time for technology?

[Al From Bromley]

Its been debated elsewhere about some of the decisions last night, but generally in footie these days the lino's appear to be getting worse - or maybe its just the benefit of replays that highlight how ridiculous some of the decisions are. Surely the time has come for technology to play a part? Continue play until the ball is dead - either in the back of the net, out for a corner, goal kick, throw, whatever and then call for a judgment.

Granted it can't be done on hackney marshes, but football is big business. Mistakes cost thousands - nay millions in some cases.

I say limit it to offside because thats not a decision the ref can make and it is humanly impossible to see from where a ball was kicked to where it lands in the same instant. Penalties and free kicks should be down to the refs judgment but offside decisions are so frequently wrong the time has come for change.

Discuss.(oh and come someone please move this to general chat)

[This message has been edited by Al from Bromley (edited 13 September 2000).]

[walderslade eagle]

You can't wait for a ball to go dead, it could take a couple of minutes, and I would think that supporter irritation would get quite high. the bottom line is it's swings and roundabouts, if they turn football into a science and take out the human error factor it won't be worth watching. I think it would make for a horrible spectacle, keep dragging the game back, let's keep football flowing as much as we can.

[Kevin T]

Must admit I get frustrated at any stoppage (unless it's the opposition goalie picking the ball out of their net) so any more interuption in play i a bad thing

[Gooders]

I never want to see technology used in football, as much as I bitch about the standard of officiating.

I doubt that the problem is any worse now than it has ever been, it's just that every decision or incident is scrutinised and analysed to death.

One thing I would like to see, however, is a return to the days where Managers were not permitted to talk about refereeing performances at all. If they bitched, they were up on disrepute charges before you could say Jack Regan.

And then banned from the touchline if they didn't can it.

I am fed up to the back teeth with seeing 5 or 6 managers on MOTD every week, complaining about the injustice of it all.

Curbishley was on there last week saying how terribly wrong it was for his player who had been booked twice to be sent off. Why?

Let's get these people to shut up and let the officials get on with it and they might improve through not feeling like they're under the microscope all the time.

Complaining about pants officials is one of the joys of the post-match debate - if we're not careful we're going to have sanitised USA-style sport only and I don't think any of us want that.



[This message has been edited by Gooders (edited 13 September 2000).]

[arussell]

Moving to World Of Football (should I move Al away from the lunchtime Guinness though ?)

[Strathclyde Eagle]

Besides all the stopping and starting that would take place, the trials, installation and debates over what technology should be used I'm still not sure that they would get it right!

Call me cynical if you wish!

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[Al From Bromley]

Ok, how about wiring the lino's up to an electric shock machine and having a bloke in the stand who, when the ball is hoofed out of defence immediately presses a button that sends shockwaves through the official thus making sure he looks along the line at that very moment and not 3 seconds later?

Eureka! I think I've cracked it. Ever had a shock off a cow fence? Its blo*dy painful!

[PalaceFan in Alabama]

NEVER, NEVER!
Just look how long it takes to watch an American Football game? A game of 4 quarters (15 mins each) can take up to 2 1/2 hrs. I would think you could add at least an half hour to the game?
Look at Royle over the week-end, he gave it to everyone, and this from one of the "Last of the Cart Horses". I remember him taking a dive and even the papers picked up on it "Shame there was no Water".
I was under the impression that the 4th Official was there to control the benches?
Al from Bromley's idea would be fun to watch, but very painful!