UEFA unveils goal referees
Posted on | June 1, 2009 | No Comments
Was it over the line, did the winger with the white boots dive and was the keeper outside the area when he handled that ball?
These are just some of the questions UEFA hopes will be answered by the much-anticipated arrival of extra officials at the highest level from next season.
European football’s governing body has announced two more officials, one behind each goal, are to appear in matches in the new Europa League, which will replace the UEFA cup in 2009 to 2010.
It’s all a far cry from the goal line cameras and sensors which some people have been calling for but looks certain to improve the quality of decisions when it comes to penalty claims and disputed goals.
‘Not such a new thing’
This isn’t actually that new an idea as it’s already been trialled successfully at the UEFA under-19 tournament, where it was apparently well received. For an example in action we only have to look to rugby union, where touch judges are used to decide whether or not a conversion kick has been completed.
One of the main plus points is in fact the lack of expensive technology – which would be a plus for clubs and associations who could struggle to afford the costs.
It does pose the question of how the change would filter through the levels of football and translate at amateur and semi-professional level. Where are regional associations going to find the extra officials for the matches when low-level leagues in many countries are already struggling just to get one referee to turn up? In England in particular, there’s a shortage of qualified officials at the moment, so how many leagues would stump up another two more per game is anyone’s guess.
Goal line decisions important
But if it can be made workable it will at least cut some errors out of officiating in the higher levels. For a recent example we only have to look as far as the FA Cup final in England on Saturday, when a shot from Chelsea’s Florent Malouda smashed off the Everton crossbar.
The ball bounced down, a fair few inches over the line, and bounced out. No goal said the officials. A referee standing right behind that Everton goal would surely have waved his arms for a Chelsea goal.
The ‘fifth and sixth official’ rule could be the best answer to the clamour for goal line technology. It addresses the issue without removing completely the aspect we all secretly find so much fun – the role of human error.
[Photo: Wonker CC]
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