Is it just me or have football players taken acting lessons? The FIFA World Cup has been littered with theatrical dives and players going down as if they have been poleaxed by a Mike Tyson hook when in fact replays show there has been no contact whatsoever! It is sickening and will stain the beautiful game doing irreparable harm if nothing is done about it. Someone has to do something to check what seems to be a growing trend. Players falling as if a sniper has taken them down isn’t doing the game any good and if Blatter wants to protect the image of the sport then the law-makers have to impose stricter sanctions on the actors. Referees must be told to be harsh on such theatrics and here is where technology could play a part through post match citing – much like rugby uses to deal with dirty play. Another approach would be for managers themselves to come out and condemn such acting rather than defend the dives as they currently do. It doesn’t matter what methods are employed – fines, bans or cards…but for the sake of the game please somebody do something!
The beautiful game: Is it just me?
by Keith Coats | Jun 22, 2010 | Archive | 4 comments
4 Comments
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Keith, you have a great idea regarding post-match action. If the ref can see an obvious cheat, he can take action immediately. If not, a video review of appealed events can be done, with match banning in the form of an Orange Card (not a Yellow warning card, or an on-field Red, but a post-match Orange).
Technology is the solution here. FIFA need to wake up and get with the programme. Cricket are “on again / off again” about using technology, but at least the ICC are experimenting with it. And if you’re being beaten by the cricket administration in the uptake of innovation, then you have to know you’re FAR behind!
During the game, refs should have access to a quick replay and intervention by the video referee. This would be used when the on field ref wants to award a penalty, a booking or a goal only. That way the game would not be slowed down.
But, additionally, there should be the ability to cite players after the fact based on video evidence. This is used successfully in rugby, and would be a nice simple solution.
FIFA needs to get into the 21st century. And the whole game needs an attitude check!
I have just finished watching the England vs Germany game in the Round of 16. England should have had a goal near the end of the first half, to level the game at 2-2. I don’t think it would have changed the outcome: Germany were clinical and England were bad right from the start. But the issue of goal line technology was once again a factor. And at least two camera angles, and no more than 5 seconds showed the mistake. Why, oh why, oh why, won’t FIFA use even the simplest of technology in the world’s richest and most played sport? It boggles the mind…
I have just watched Uruguay beat Ghana in the quarterfinals. And once again goal line technology and cheating will be the story. A goal from Ghana was not allowed – when the ball was clearly over the goal line. Instead, a Uruguan used his hands to clear the ball from (behind) the goal line, and a penalty was given. The penalty was missed, and Ghana went on to lose. Another cheat! Another goal not given! Another undeserved winner.
FIFA needs to sort this stuff out. It really leaves a bad taste in the mouth.