Sport Innovation/Goal-line Technology/Football, Technology and the future

The technology in football debate has been raging for quite some time now. Disallowed goals and allowed non-goals are the key factor in the debate for the introduction of goal-line technology into football. The fact that FIFA are testing nine different goal-line technologies and have discussed its possible inclusion in the 2012–13 English Premier League proves to be positive [1]. However, there is also concern for other factors such as unseen handballs and offside players [2]. The have been recent cases of both such issues which have both resulted in goals [2] [3].

Although it may take a significant amount of time, eventually football will have technology the can determine if a goal was really a goal or if it wasn’t and if players are offside [4]. Both technologies able to determine the afore mentioned are able to do so instantaneously [1]. However, technology used to establish if a player handballed is not instant [5]. Due to the fact the technology is not instant, the technology is not likely to be implemented, as it does not meet the strict testing criteria developed by FIFA.

Ultimately, the decision is up to the International Football Association Board (IFAB), who establishes the football rules and is the only one that can change them [6]. However, it is clear that the introduction of technology in football has the potential to reduce human error and to make goal-line controversies, such as Frank Lampard’s disallowed goal at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, a thing of the past [7].