Goal-line Technology

Goal-line Technology

FIFA have made many mistakes about leaving aside the technology to help referees to have a fairer game.

The goal-line technology debate began picking up steam in 2005 after Tottenham midfielder Pedro Mendes was denied a game-winning goal against Manchester United. The United keeper, Roy Carroll, misplayed the shot from 50 yards out, allowing the ball to cross over the goal line. However, Carroll was able to pull the ball back over the line before a referee or assistant was able to position himself to make the correct call. This incident, known as the “phantom goal” brought to light the inability of the referees and linesman to make calls when out of position.

The incident sparked rising support in the implementation of goal-line technology, even among referees. Shortly after the incident, Referee Chief Keith Hackett put forth a proposal for the use of goal-line technology. The International Football Association Board agreed to begin testing of the technology in the 2005 U-17 World Championships.  

GoalControl’s system utilizes 14 high-speed cameras – 7 on each goal – that take full-frame, full-color images at a rate of 500 photos/minute. If the ball crosses the goal line, a vibrational and visual signal is sent to each match official’s watch with 1 second. While this is all very impressive, GoalControl only guarantees 3 cm of accuracy. For extremely close-call goals, this may not be enough.

GoalControl is estimated to cost $260,000 us dollar per stadium and an addition $3,900 per game. This isn’t pocket change, and for teams under financial pressure, GLT might not be an option. 

But in my opinion, I think this kind of technology is necessary, no matter if it costs so much money, because this kind of decision can be very hard, per example, in a soccer match, 2 teams play to pass to other division league, when it is 93 minutes and one team score but the ball never passed complete; the other team would be very upset and won´t be in the other division per one mistake, and when a team increase of division, they receive extra money. So this kind of mistakes cost so much than the technology.