Goal Line Technology

Yesterday we were treated to two cracking Round of 16 games. Germany destroyed a poor English side 4-1 and Argentina won 3-1 against a very good Mexico side to set up a mouth watering quarter final clash. The level of football aside the games were marred by two horrendous refereeing errors.

In the Germany game Lampard scored a clear goal off the upright and in that both the referee and linesman failed to see that would have tied the game. Goals make a difference in games although I still think Germany would have eventually won considering the level of play on show. The linesman was actually correctly positioned online with the German defense but he failed to see it, mind you it only takes one second to miss it hitting the ground. The main referee had a very good game overall but missed it as well, both of them should have seen it. Hats of to Neuer though for picking up the ball and proceeding with play as if nothing happened. If only Mohamday could have done the same vs Brazil in the Confederations Cup instead of play acting!

In the Argentina game Tevez scored a clear offside after a Messi pass that put Argentina 1-0 ahead with Mexico having it all to do. I have no excuse for this linesman and he is solely to blame for the error. There was commotion after the goal and conversations between the linesman and the fourth official but the goal stood.

Cries of Goal line technology echoed after the games and the need to use instant replays for incidents like this and so on. FIFA will probably not pay much attention to these out cries and I kind of agree with them. Am I mad? maybe, but lets explore this a bit further.

Using technology and replays for all aspects of the game is inapplicable in my opinion. Imagine having to stop play and contest offsides and fouls not to mention throw ins, corner, handballs and goals. This would ruin the game completely. Yes some would argue that it could be regulated with a limited number of complaints and time outs but this would just turn football into basketball or American football. Stopping the game disrupts the rhythm of play and we have seen coaches using substitutions and players faking injury when their team is on the back foot to waste time and disrupt the other teams play. Imagine playing Algeria and not only are their players faking injury, their coach is calling time outs and seeing replays on the monitors. This wont be the same game we have all come to love. Technology everywhere is out of the question in my opinion. Why not just goal line technology then?

It makes perfect sense to apply that and make it part of the game, so why is FIFA refusing to do that? There is no reason for the football governing body not to want to make matches more fair. They do make a fair argument though. One of the greatest pleasures of football was the ability of all countries and leagues regardless of their level or wealth to practice the game in the same way. How expensive would goal line technology be? How can you force it on all countries? Games would be played differently in richer countries and would cause a void in a sport that unites the globe. Making some countries apply it and others not would not be fair would it? Imagine Egypt playing against Zimbabwe in Cairo having implemented goal line technology and Zimbabwe score a goal missed by the referee but thanks to goal line technology is allowed, fair enough you say...maybe. In the second leg we go to Harary were there is no goal line technology and Egypt have a clear goal disallowed because the referee didn't see it, would it be fair then? People might argue that that's football and it could have been a penalty and referees make mistakes anyways. That is correct, but isn't this the case anyways now? Why are refereeing mistakes acceptable in some circumstances and not others. An incorrect corner could result in a goal, same impact, no?

The fact of the matter is refereeing mistakes are part of the beautiful game. How many hours have we spent debating offsides, goals and penalties among one another? We enjoy doing it too. It's harsh when it happens to our teams and even worse in a World Cup (I feel in a whole club football season decisions for and against teams even themselves out) but it is part of the game.

FIFA have not stood idol. The UEFA experiment in applying a fourth and fifth on field referees in the EUROPA Cup has proved fruitful. Maybe employing these two referees for the sole purpose of the goal line would be a good idea and would minimize such situations. Make no mistake though, they are only human and errors will continue to occur. Frankly I would rather live with those mistakes than have football turn into American football. As for England, 1966 anyone?

Champions League Quarters

Football Battles are about to commence today and tomorrow. The quarters finals of the UEFA Champions League are kicking off with some mouth watering encounters too look forward too. Two games stick out from the draw, obviously Arsenal vs Barcelona and Bayern Munich vs Manchester United.

The latter will be a tightly contested affair. A lot of people don't give Bayern enough credit when it comes to European Cups. Sir Alex and United had better not underestimate the 4 time winners! United are on a role at the moment and after last weeks results I think they are now clear favorites to win the Premier League, unless Chelsea can beat them at Old Trafford on Saturday. The team as a whole is reaching it's top gear at the right time and with one of Europe most on from strikers leading the line in Wayne Rooney, they have a lot to be confident about. Hopefully too confident for their own good. They are facing experienced opposition and make no mistake this will not be the Milan games. Bayern have a very strong squad. They are only really weak in goal, Butt is not up to standard. Defensively they have been inconsistent but the returning DeMichelis will be a boost for the team. They have arguably two of the best wide players in the world in Ribery and Robbin and if the latter if fit for the clash tonight Gary Nevile will be looking forward to a miserable time. On their day these two are unstoppable and with Klose upfront to finish off their moves they will always be a threat. They have grit in midfield too with Van Bommel playing the role of the enforcer and the technically gifted Schweinstiger distributing play. This will be a real battle and I think Bayern may just pull it off.

The Arsenal/Barcelona clash is truly mouth watering. I have been excited ever since the draw was made. I would have definitely preferred that Arsenal play anyone else, CSKA to be more accurate but this clash just promises to be too good. The positive thing here is that the risk of the managers spoiling the game is almost non existent, both team are programmed to attack. They are almost identical to one another. They depend on ball possession with slick passing and incredible off the ball movement. I think Arsenal are the more on form team at the moment. Barcelona overall are having a bit of a dip with Messi the obvious exception. The midfield battle will be an exhilarating one. Cesc, Song and Diaby (Densilson) vs Iniesta, Xavi and Toure. On current form I'll give the edge to Arsenal, however this is not the full story. Although defensively Barca have been lacking a bit this season I don't feel Arsenal have the strikers to punish mistakes. Bendtner is on a good run but is he that good? Arshavin needs to be at his best if the Gunners are to fashion anything. Nasri too, but will Wenger surprise us with Theo? I think Theo would be useful at the Nou Camp with counters if Arsenal can get a positive result tomorrow. Defensively is where I think Arsenal are going to have the most trouble. Containing Messi is almost impossible these days. On an average day he is unplayable. Not sure if Arsenal would have it in them to stop him even if Gallas was playing. I think he will have a great time dribbling past Clichy today. Zlatan is another problem, his technical ability and physical presence are a huge threat but I think Sol can play a good game on him. As for Henry , I think it might be difficult for him to play at his best or maybe not since this is the Emirates and not Highbury. Overall I think Barcelona have more quality and killer instinct than Arsenal but don't underestimate the young gunners just yet! Iniesta is likely to miss the clash at the Emirates and Cesc is facing a late fitness test.