When will SPBO referees be able to use technology?

Referee decisions can make or break a football game. This has been a source of controversy both on and off the field. Many believe that technology would eliminate human error by allowing for the use of technology in the decision-making process. There were many examples of this in the recent South African world cup. Especially when England beat Germany. This goal was seen by millions, but not the referee. Many supporters claim that if this goal had been counted, the outcome would have been different.

Multi-angle replays are available for televised football matches. These replays can be used to analyze any decision made during the match, but they have no effect on the final outcome. Experts can use existing camera angles to determine the exact position of the ball and the positions of the players, as well as whether or not a tackle was a foul.

Referees in rugby have used technology for years to make decisions. Referees spend around 30 seconds reviewing video footage and conferring with other officials to make the right ruling. Although decisions made in rugby games have not been challenged or argued since the introduction of technology, this could also be attributed to the discipline of the players.

Many methods have been proposed that can speed up the decision-making process by automatically informing a referee of information using different levels of technology. The majority of these concepts involve placing a microchip in the ball’s centre and scanning the line for SPBO laser detection. This technology, which is relatively simple, could pinpoint the exact position of a ball on the pitch relative to the goal and any players. It could also be used to determine if a player has been offside or out-of-bounds.

While there is a lot of evidence to support the use of on-pitch tech, all international institutions have so far rejected it and instead looked at a range of additional officials. FIFA, an international football body, has so far rejected it as an option. However, the FA of the UK is reportedly set to start talks with clubs in October. Many players, especially those who have been holding grudges for decades against bad decisions, would welcome exploring technological possibilities.

Clare Louise