VIDEO TECHNOLOGY:NOT MANY people know this but the Irish Football Association – not the FAI, mind, Northern Ireland's governing body – have a significant say in altering the rules of football.
So, remarkably, do the Welsh and Scottish governing bodies. This bizarre methodology of mapping out the rules has been in place since the International Football Association Board (IFAB) was formed in 1886.
The three associations have one vote each, as does the English FA, while Fifa have four votes. The IFAB are the sole body with the power to amend the laws of association football. A two thirds majority is always required with Fifa tending to vote en bloc.
The IFAB are awaiting the conclusion of the Europa League group stages and a report from Uefa on the experimental use of assistant referees behind either goal.
The use of video technology will not be considered again at least until the IFAB AGM in March 2011. They are against it, stating previously that video technology would “dehumanise” football.
Is that not the whole point? It took two minutes to restart Wednesday night’s match game after Willam Gallas scored in extra-time. Swedish referee Martin Hansson took three maybe four seconds to award the goal.
To suggest a video replay would overly slow the games tempo seems erroneous.
“People are harbouring this great myth that if we had to stop, say, for technology that it would spoil the entertainment of the game,” said former Irish referee Mick Tomney. “I think it was proven last night that we had five or six replays of the incident before Shay Given left his penalty area when he was remonstrating with the ref. That could have been done in double quick time.
“I would, however, go with the new Europa league system of extra officials behind the goal because they are actually physically there and you are not relying on somebody up in a hornets’ nest.”
Granted, football does not want to go down the stop start route of American field sports but the success of global games like tennis and rugby has removed the problems of human error that cursed the Republic of Ireland in Paris.
The use of assistant referees at either end is, according to Fifa, “to enhance control of the match in accordance with laws of the field of play (particularly inside and near the penalty area) by adding an extra pair of eyes to each penalty area.”
John Giles made an interesting suggestion in the RTÉ studio after the match: ask the player suspected of cheating if he is at fault. If video evidence subsequently and categorically proves he has lied then a suspension follows. But that opens up all new ways for players to play the fool.
The five assistant experiment is seeking two primary breakthroughs: a) reduce match altering errors; and b) deter players from committing infringements.
The two very things that occurred in the 98th minute on Wednesday night.
“I think the authorities are dragging their heals on the whole matter,” added Tomney. “With this on centre stage at the moment and the French goal being replayed all around the world, Fifa will have to make that definitive decision. They can’t allow this to happen again.”
