Connect in the back of the net
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Taken from Meme Generator

What will there be left to discuss in bars and homes across the globe once it can be proved for certain that a goal was scored? Well there is always an offside decision or a bad tackle to debate but at least FIFA have finally moved to bring Football in line with other major sports by introducing technology to the game.


It has already been seven years in the planning and the decision when and how to introduce Goal Line Technology will not finally be decided until the committee meet on 2nd July 2012 , the day after the Euro 2012 Final has taken place, so let’s hope there are no Frank Lampard related incidents  during the Finals.


The need for such a system is no longer a matter of debate as high profile games seem to become ever more important, the need to achieve a fair result is seen as vital in maintaining the integrity of the game, so which system will FIFA go for?


The first option operates in the same way that the “Hawk-Eye” works in Tennis, with a number of cameras positioned on the top of the stands around the ground and aimed at each goal in order to provide panoramic coverage of the goal line. 


If the ball fully crosses the line, the Referee gets a signal sent to his watch that confirms if a goal should be given.  Not quite the same experience as Tennis fans who get to see a digital replay of the ball in flight and whether it was in or out of the tram line.


This shared moment seems to add something to the game and keeps up the flow and interaction with the crowd, so it would be good once the technology is in place, for Football to use the screens around the grounds in a similar way. 


This sharing of the images with the crowd is a step too far as far as FIFA are concerned at the moment as they have stubbornly confirmed that they do not intend to release these images to broadcasters or the public during the game, so we will all have to watch the Referee for his verdict.

Taken from Scribd

The second option which is known as GoalRef  involves small cables being laid about 6-8 inches underneath the frame of the goal which then generates a magnetic field. A chip is placed inside the match ball and centralised by 12 suspension points, all of which we are assured does not affect the performance of the ball in any way. If the ball fully crosses the line the Referee will be informed in the same way as option one, by receiving a signal to their watch.


GoalRef is cheaper to install and Hawk-Eye is understood to cost in the region of £250,000 although precise details and costs are not currently available as the two companies compete for the contract award from FIFA that could lead to widespread implementation of the preferred technology once a start date has been agreed.


So when will matches be covered by Hawk-Eye or GoalRef? It seems that the US Soccer League could be used to trial the system starting in March 2013 and probably won’t be seen in the Premier League until at least 2014 at the very earliest.


The use of technology to decide important decisions in games is no doubt welcome by a lot of fans who can all relate to a story involving their club where they have lost out to a bad or wrong decision, but we will all have to argue between ourselves for a bit longer while FIFA deliberate and make their decision, probably hoping that there are no controversial results at Euro 2012 in the meantime.




Guest post written by Sam Harvey on behalf of Casino Mate.


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