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FIFA Now Open To Talks on Goal Technology

It really must be a cold day down under, and I don't mean Australia or South Africa.  Sepp Blatter the major domo of FIFA has finally had enough of a World Cup plagued by inexcusably poor officiating and blatantly missed goals being disallowed.   Blunder masters Uruguayan referee Jorge Larrionda of the missing English goal against Germany and Italian Roberto Rosetti of the missed offsides allowing an Argentine goal to stand against Mexico have been let go for the balance of the tournament.  Sepp's also sorry about the mistakes and sends his apologies.

More significantly, Sepp has said that finally he is willing to discuss the use of technology to determine if a ball has actually crossed the goal line.  This will come too late to help anyone in this World Cup, sorry Brits, but, if he is really serious, then it just might be in place for Brazil 2014.  Make no mistake, there is only one opinion that counts here.  As long as Sepp is breathing, his opinion is the only one that matters and the his willingness to discuss technology, instant replay in any form is still verboten, is a major step forward.  It will still require demonstrating that it is in the natural flow of the game and doesn't detract in any way from the play on the field, which a properly set up system should not do.  If Sepp is seriously willing to listen, then a system should be approved.

Here is a link to a video of Sepp's apology.

Full post as published by Sports Biz on June 30, 2010 (boomark / email).