Football, in theory
I do occasionally like to consider the theoretical aspects of sport, and football in particular. See, for example, this old post on the true effects of managers and my thoughts on Arsenal's home record having moved to the Emirates stadium.
Another element of the sport that will remain in theory is goal-line technology: FIFA has said that it will not introduce it. I agree with its decision. Goal-line technology is one of those things that makes sense if you don't think about it too much, but falls apart when you do. Martin Samuel has thought about it and to the same conclusion:
It is a myth that in other sports technology has banished human error. In cricket, the officials on the field of play still have to invite the third umpire to adjudicate on contentious episodes and legitimate leg-before appeals continue to pass by on a shake of the head. The rule remains that the umpire trusts his eyes and only surrenders control as a last resort...
Still, let us argue that the man with the VCR saw with his naked eye, first time, what a large proportion of the 44,000 crowd missed. How should he then stop the game? A klaxon, a flashing light, a shout in Riley’s ear? Suppose the ball is already heading for the net. Will we need a second video referee passing judgment on whether the signal was given before the ball crossed the line or whether the beaten goalkeeper stopped or played on?
The rest of Samuel's article shows why video technology, in football, would be incredibly difficult to introduce.
Whilst I'm on the topic, I note that, in his first game as their manager, Neil Warnock delivered a for Queen's Park Rangers. I wonder if there's some literature on the 'new manager effect', particularly with regard to victories in their first match?
Filed in Sport and tagged fifa, football, sport, theory
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