subject: How Long Can Soccer Go On Without Instant Replay [print this page] The question of instant replay being used in soccer has once again risen to be a topic of conversation, mainly because of the many poor calls by referees during the recent World Cup. The one point that everyone seems to agree on is that, if instant replay had been in use, the results of some very important matches would have been quite different.
So many other major professional and international sports have found a way to make good use of instant replay in their game. Leading the way is probably the NFL which has managed to introduce replays into the game without changing the flow or nature of the sport. Similarly, ice hockey has introduced instant replay with great success when it comes to ensuring that there is no longer any controversy about whether a goal has been scored or not.
But why all the resistance by FIFA to implementing instant replay.
The major concern expressed has been the delay instant replay would bring to a game that is known for being fast paced and having no stoppage time. If there were constantly instant replays being called the game could drag on for hours. However, both the NFL and NHL have dealt with this issue by either limiting the number of times teams can ask for instant replay as with the NFL, and penalizing the team that asks for an instant replay to dispute a call and the call is upheld, or, as in the NHL, leaving it to an independent group back at NHL headquarters deciding if a goal should be reviewed.
The cost of installing the necessary equipment in every stadium where soccer is played is another concern often expressed. Of course, it's silly to think that every stadium would require replay equipment. You could limit it to major league stadiums and where important games are being played. Most professional teams seem to be able to afford to spend millions of dollars to buy player contracts, surely they can afford a few thousand dollars to add this technology.
And then there are the positives, all of which boil down to eliminating controversy over bad or missed calls that cost teams dearly, that allow cheaters (think France) to advance and makes losers out of winners and winners out of losers. Instant replay would be a great benefit to the fans and the game, even if you limited them only to reviewing goals.
the 21st century is here, it's time FIFA caught up.Surely if the FIFA braintrust were to put their heads together they could come up with an instant replay system that would enhance the game of soccer, that would be reasonably affordable, and mostly, that would take so much of the controversy out of our beloved game. Let's hope they figure it out before the next World Cup.
