ISW

By Alex

As I’ve written in the past, soccer needs to modernize.

Modernization is often seen as an attack on tradition. We see this often in sports. Baseball, for example, is guarded by so-called purists. If it were up to them, we’d still be using 19th century rules.

I exaggerate but you get the point.

The last major debate in baseball revolved around the introduction of the wild-card. The idea was met with resistance and skepticism in some circles. Since its arrival, it has reinvigorated MLB playoff races. I don’t think anyone would dispute the excitement it has brought the league. This year, MLB introduced video replay for home runs. Many people were concerned with how it was going to be used and whether it was going to waste time.

These concerns are valid up to a point. If implemented properly there is no doubt video replay can help referees and umpires in any sport. Video replay for home runs has been used and so far it has worked like a charm.

Technology doesn’t have to be evil. It’s a tool; an aid. It makes little sense to ignore technology in sports. In the past, no one asked for replay because the technology wasn’t available. We have to be careful when looking back at the classic age. It’s easy to recall a much simpler and more “noble” time. History does play tricks on the mind you know.

This is why Michel Platini is way off base when he says there’s no room for video replay in soccer. How much of this is directed at Arsene Wenger I can’t say but clearly Platini exhibits the mind of a dinosaur like many of his colleagues including FIFA President Sepp Blatter. Blatter, for his part, treats soccer like his own private fiefdom.

Soccer is the most subjective of sports. In this manner, it shares similar traits with baseball. Ushering in a healthy dose of objectivity could help enormously. It will certainly make a referees job easier. All too often, fans, players (who encircle a ref like vultures when calls don’t go their way) coaches and even Presidents of teams, leagues and organizations throw refs under the bus for missed calls.

Why not help them out a little? Start slowly. Introduce video replay for dubious penalties within the penalty area and disputed goals. However, so far FIFA and UEFA have resisted the use of a soccer smart ball equipped with a chip to determine if a ball crosses the goal line.

The smart ball seems like a brilliant and efficient way to begin the process of modernizing soccer.

Delaying it further has little to do with tradition and everything to to with shortsightedness.

Who will be the visionary and assume leadership on this matter?