FIFA Resists!?!?

FIFA resists video help for refs, then red-card issue in EPL

HOLYWOOD, Northern Ireland (AP) — Faced with soccer's "biggest decision ever," FIFA said on Saturday it would not be rushed into approving — or even testing — video technology to improve the accuracy of referees' decisions.

But an incident in the English Premier League then highlighted just why the English Football Association pushed FIFA to embrace technology beyond existing goal-line aids, at a meeting of the game's rule-makers on Saturday. ...

See the whole story here, courtesy of USA Today.

Kicking Back Comments: My threshold comment is FIFA resisting doing anything is a good thing. While my tongue is clearly in my cheek I do happen to believe this. Now this article cites the recent ManU v. Sunderland match where there was a consensus that Wes Brown should have been, and ultimately was, sent off ... however not everyone saw it that way.

Listen folks, I hate to break to everyone but referees are fallible (my comment is not in reference to the ManU match) and video review, reading it in the most positive light, will correct those rare errors.

Now, the reality is I fear it will invite inappropriate meddling. While the NFL uses this to good effect, that game is designed for such reviews ... stop and go ... commercials and "chalkboard" analysis.

Our game has no such interruptions and can not and should not be held for a review of ANY type. It just invites too much of an interruption.

Of course I am nonplussed on the intrusion of the referee team ability to manage a match as well. Guess what ... cameras don't catch everything either and when someone is stepping up to take a penalty, we can't wait 5 minutes for a decision that may never come from a video review.

I'm glad FIFA is not rushing into a decision ... but would like it better if they dropped it all together.