Coward thy name is Sepp

Sepp Blatter softens position on relegation for racism

FIFA President Sepp Blatter has softened his stance on calling for clubs to be punished with relegation after serious racist abuse, suggesting that fans would deliberately provoke incidents.

Zurich: FIFA President Sepp Blatter has softened his stance on calling for clubs to be punished with relegation after serious racist abuse, suggesting that fans would deliberately provoke incidents. ...

See the whole article here, courtesy of NDTV Sports.

Kicking Back Comments: I am not in the least surprised Sepp is backtracking on his idea regarding relegation for any who are found to commit racism. I am sure some clubs were in his ear about it.

Honestly Sepp, you want to stop racism, be draconian. Take the points, relegate the teams, and keep at it. There is a point in time that players, staff, and spectators will get it, even if they want to act otherwise.

Maybe I'm being too harsh, Sepp did after all create a task force led by the president of CONCACAF to study the matter and devise the appropriate penalties.

I'll start holding my breath ... now.

FIFA: Goal Line Technology went to the lowest bidder

As a backdrop, take a look at this article,  FIFA appoints goal-line tech provider.

Innocuous enough, after all FIFA had to pick someone and better to do it sooner than later.

What was interesting to me was these quotes:

"While all four companies had previously met the stringent technical requirements of the FIFA Quality Programme, the final decision was based on criteria relating more specifically to the tournaments in Brazil, including the company’s ability to adapt to local conditions and the compatibility of each GLT system in relation to FIFA match operations."

Well ok ... I can see this in a way. After all GoalRef and Cairos both used modified goals and ball, and planting electronics in goal posts in a less than friendly ambient environment may cause issues. I personally thought they were lousy (technical) solutions anyway in my previous post on GLT.

What really caught my eye was this quote:

"The respective bids were also judged on cost and project management factors such as staffing and time schedules for installation."

Translation: GoalControl was cheaper than Hawkeye.

Even still it costs $260000 per stadia and nearly $4000 per match to operate the (14) cameras (source). Hardly cheap, but a drop in the bucket for the FIFA bankroll.

This was a bit of a shocker actually as Hawkeye is a well established, well respected company, and GoalControl is just a year old.

I'm sure there was no animosity toward the UK (where Hawkeye is headquartered) after all the grief they have given FIFA of late.

Have no fear, Hawkeye has a safe future in the Premireship as they have been in talks for months.

Now GoalControl did release a statement, in part one I was not really fond of. It stated:

“We look forward to having the opportunity in this competition to offer our goal line technology system, a new tool to assist referees”, states Dirk Broichhausen, Managing Director of GoalControl.

To which I and other referees in the community have said, thanks but no thanks. This is coming from FIFA for reasons other than to help referees. While it is a secondary effect, I don't think anyone genuinely believes that was the ultimate goal.

It rarely is from FIFA.

Do we really wonder why Sepp won't leave?

FIFA To Rake In N790 Billion From 2014 W/Cup

The 2014 World Cup in Brazil is set to provide a record $5 billion (about N790 billion) windfall for FIFA, according to audit and consultancy firm BDO.

The figure represents a 36 percent rise on the $3.655 billion made at the last World Cup in South Africa and is 110 percent higher than the $2.345 billion earned at the 2006 World Cup in Germany, Xinhua has reported. ...

See the whole story here, courtesy of PM News.

Kicking Back Comments: If true, this is staggering. Then again, Nigeria certainly has an axe to grind with FIFA right now, so I would be interested to see the research behind the numbers.

Even if close however ... you can't tell me it ain't about the money with a straight face.

Able to leap tall buildings in a single bound ...

So the weather is getting warmer ... birds are chirping ... and spring is on the cup of springing.

Have you trained today? We are about to start the season.

An easy run ... some stretching perhaps? Have you considered doing some jumping exercises?

Why you ask ... well take a peek below from The Science of Soccer Online. Compelling stuff.

Leg Strength, Sprint Speed and Jump Performance

Soccer players typically perform around a dozen sprints during the course of a 90 minute match. In the 2010 World Cup Finals, Mexican forward Javier Hernandez reached a top speed of more than 32 km/hr (close to 20 miles per hour). There is no doubt that sprint speed is an important player characteristic that can have an important impact on performance. For example, during a breakaway, it is the faster player who either outruns his or her defender or closes down the open forward. ...

Bottom line ... are we ready to keep up if a player kicks it into overdrive?

Most of us will start refereeing next week or so (and am thankful for the extra week due to very wet fields) ... and MLS has already started.

Are YOU ready?

File under: Professional Misconduct

Well I am happy to say that my beloved Radio Shack Team is off to a good start with Sparticus (Fabian Cancellara) winning the Tour of Flanders, and is a favorite for Paris-Roubaix this Sunday.

In the same breath I am sad to say that one of the best riders in the next generation, Peter Sagan, made an ass out of himself, and Cannonade, by grabbing exactly that.

The Tweet below tells the story.

As is tradition, there are podium girls who kiss the winner of a race, and Peter could not help butt get into the act with his gesture.

I am having a little fun with a play on words, but the situation is serious on a couple of levels.

First is the conduct itself, which is inappropriate, full stop. It would seem clear the young woman did not consent to such an act based on the picture.

Cannonade should act and sanction the young phenom in an appropriate manner. While it is unlikely that he will be asked to sit on Sunday, he should pay at least a hefty fine, and issue a public apology (he did apologize, but it was not exactly as public as this incident).

The other serious issue is the ingrained sexism in the sport of cycling. Look at the Tweet from the organizer ... "Naughty Sagan" almost condoning the act. They too should apologize for the incident as their senseless comments.

Just remember folks, there are cameras everywhere, and just when you least expect, or want a picture taken, is exactly when it will happen ... and potentially ruin your career in the process, or at least derail it for a while.

JAFO may have been right

The other day JAFO laid down a stinging rebuke of my GLT analysis and I came to a conclusion that I am a hypocrite.

This is not news by the way, I flop more than a freshly caught fish on the deck of a boat. I often find exceptions to exceptions especially when it comes to something like GLT.

Where I am getting caught is that I am still a traditionalist, but appreciate the technology involved.

Take a look here at Garmin's new set of toys for cyclists.


Pretty freaking cool right?

I dunno ... maybe its pride that drives me away from technology inside the pitch. Then again, as JAFO stated we are training with HR monitors and the like ... while even here I showed a GPS plot of a match I did to demonstrate just how useful the information can be.

I guess what it comes down to is how the technology is going to be used, for good, or not.

JAFO mentioned beeper flags. A good starting point.

What was not mentioned was the flurry of rotten refereeing habits that ensued after their introduction. Eye contact was at an all time low, and on more than one occasion I about had to use one as a club to get a referees attention without actually activating the beeper. This was in MLS too.

Headsets are the same. In this case information overload can come into play. There are times when a moment of silence can help more than someone crackling in your ear about what just happened.

I am still not a fan of GLT, but take JAFO's point more easily now. Where some see it as an aide to officiating, I see it an an opportunity for some to not do their job and let "technology do the work."

If that day comes, we have lost indeed.

Soccer is life

You know it's funny. JAFO came up with this saying some time ago and I continue to be amazed at how true it is. Here is just another great example.

I found this article in The Guardian where after the death of a friend, Andrew Cassidy turns to what, yes football, to help him stay fit.

Oh by the way, he is 50 ... and by the look of the video below, truly talented.

An overnight internet star is born.

... say it with me ... Soccer is life.

April Fools!

So I have to admit I am a fan of April fools, anda bit of a clown at times ... and in the past I have shared in the fun with some gag stories on Kicking Back.

One of my favorites was last year with UEFA Experimenting with Referee Speed Drills.

I actually received some serious "... you have to be *&#ing kidding me ..." emails on that one. To me it cut both ways. One way was the fact some folks fell for the gag, which was great. The other of course is that they believed that organizations such as FIFA or UEFA would actually do something like that.

Given the history of some of these organizations, I can see their point.

This year I am turning over a new leaf, and wanted to simply share a story about April Fools' Day: 18 Greatest Sports Pranks of All Time from Bleacher Report.

A worthy read on this April Fools.

Somehow appropriate today ...

Friends,

It is great to be back at home and "back at it" so to speak. My last month has been filled with travel to a variety of spots around the globe. It suffices to say, I am glad to be back and firmly at my keyboard.

In this season of renewal I wanted to start with something that I have written about before, but is best told through the eyes of the person most effected.

In this, the 100th year anniversary for US Soccer, they are running a series of stories called "100 Moments" which detail something extraordinary in our shared history. On a day many celebrate as a resurrection, U.S. Referee Esse Baharmast's 36 Hours of Agony, seems a fitting choice as the man went from local hero, to world villain, to global sensation.

A great story to remind us all what it takes to have the courage to do the right thing.

In a recent post, (see Kicking Back, 2/20/13, It's a Sad Sad Day) my estimable colleague worries that the introduction of Goal Line Technology (GLT) is the 'camel's nose under the tent' and that we will be forever on a downward spiral as the game is taken over by inhuman forces [my words, not his]. 

While I lament some of the trappings of the modern game, and personally pine for the simpler days of laying in the grass and drinking from the garden hose, figuratively speaking (see Kicking Back 4/17/11, After the Batteries Die), I have to stop and ask:  Really?

Like it or not, technology has been with us in every facet of The Game for as long as we can remember.  Better shoes, better balls, better contact lenses.  Uniforms that keep you cool.  Goalkeepers wear gloves that can make a ball stick like glue.

Oh, you only want to talk about the stuff that has electrons moving through it?  Okay, let's talk about beeper flags, which are already becoming obsolete in favor of headset radio communication among the referee crew.  Referees now train with heart-rate monitors and the assignment of a referee can and will be based on the digital readout. 

Technology is not restricted to the men behind the whistle.  Games are digitally analyzed.  Speed is measured with lasers.  Players' every movements are analyzed from the moment they arise to the moment they go to sleep.  The best teams in the world select players for development based on genetic structure and body type, and those decisions are being made when they are toddlers!

The camel's nose is not under the tent, the camel resides inside the tent in a position of prominence. 

The real question is whether this particular piece of technology will undermine the very fabric of The Game, and take away its aesthetic charm and allure.  I do not think so.  I do not believe that the use of GLT will lead to the behemoth that is Instant Replay in American Football, where a coach throws a beanbag onto the field and a five-minute stoppage results.  The referee will still have to make the call whether the technology works or it doesn't.  This is just one more tool to assist, not to take over.  I hope.

Now where did I put my copy of '1984'?  Oh I remember now, it is on my Kindle.

Soccer is Life

Programming Note

Friends,

Over the next week or so I will be traveling on business and unable to write. That said, please enjoy the articles in the archive at your leisure.

Before I go though, I wanted to share this video with you. On my return, we will be only a few weeks away from spring, and ready to get back at it outdoors here in the NorthEast of the US.

For those who have been "hibernating" all winter ... are you ready to go? What is your training plan?

Remember, it is never too late to train and be ready for what is fast approaching. Remember, Get your a$$ out there... ?

For me, I continue to take solace in my trainers wisdom that big gains are made in the winter, when others are letting their bikes collect dust.

Words to live by.

Interesting GLT Video

So again I was pursuing the internet superhighway, and still upset about FIFA's decision to use GLT, I happen to come across this video from FIFA TV. Sorry, FIFA does not allow embedding.

A few things struck me as I took in this promotional video.

First was the fact that it takes six days(!) and as many people to deploy the Hawkeye solution. That is crazy! I know the system will likely not be moved that often if used in fixed stadia for long periods of time, but holy smokes. 

GoalRef was a bit less complicated in the number of people it takes to set up, but, it looks far more fragile. I mean, a special goal, and PCB's lining the frame. I have lived this one personally with my time at Trakus, where PCB's were put in a incredibly harsh sporting environment (NHL), and things failed. Trust me folks, it's going to break at the worst time. 

In the infamous words of Scotty "The more they overthink the plumbing, the easier it is to stop up the drain."

Between weather and abuse, I have great concerns that anything other than a nice sunny day will provide the results FIFA is after. 

So what's the backup plan in case of ... lets say fog, in the case of Hawkeye, a camera based system?

The referee.

As I seeded in a previous post too, what about the protocol for the referee in the case of failure? How about if the referee believes the system has failed, yet gives no (technological) indications of such? Open the pod bay doors indeed.

Maybe I am actually starting to see why FIFA is after other tenders. The current systems are both flawed in several ways from a high level.

Another thing that struck me was Cüneyt Çakır's comments regarding GLT. Assuming for just a second that he was not a FIFA shill (did you expect anything negative on a FIFA video?), and acknowledging he is a tremendous referee, I'm not sure his endorsement of understanding "the whole system" works for me to provide confidence as an insurance salesman from Turkey.

My point being, who really, and I mean really, understands this stuff?

I don't think anyone except the manufactures who may do what it takes to sell the system.

Finally, and this is most compelling to me, was Sepp's comments at the end regarding "the need." His argument was that a human eye can't see if the ball crosses the line in some cases. He's absolutely correct in that fact. From here my argument goes in (2) directions.

First, why are we doing something in one particular area that is "in human" to The Game? One of the particular allures for me, and I have to believe for others, is the "traditional" nature of the sport. After all, how much (technologically) has it changed since its creation? Not that much I would opine. So why the heck are we interfering with it now?

Second, how accurate and precise are these systems? There are margins of error in their operation, however small, and just how "over the line" is registered as over the line? An angstrom, millimeter, centimeter? Is it really over the line then?

This now puts The Game on the "technology curve" as good enough is never good enough. When it comes to light how precise these systems are, there will be a call for more precise systems, and so on.

It's not going to stop with GLT. 

Now a counter argument to that can be made that (insert precision) is good enough, and it was better than we had before.

Was it though? Hundreds and hundreds of years of history, and thousands and thousands of goals. We seemed to muddle through. Now in 2012 enter GLT, and you know what, we still won't know to absolute certainty, only to the margin of error.

Dosen't sound like it's worth metaling with the fabric of The Game to me.

So, what's the motivation?

Mike Montgomery, please sit down

First, for some context, take a peek here:


Yes, that was University of California's basketball coach, Mike Montgomery, pushing his own player, Allen Crabbe during a timeout.

Who the (bleep) does he think he is?

Let's reverse some roles, shall we?

How about Crabbe pushing Montgomery? You can bet that is a suspension from a few folks.
How about a referee pushing Crabbe? I'd bet a battery charge was filed, and the referee suspended.
Montgomery on a referee? Have a seat coach, see you in 5 games.

So why is this different? Shouldn't everyone get the same amount of respect from each other, or face the consequences? If anything, these kids should be protected from this nonsense, not exposed to more of it from a guy "who wants to win."

Now, Montgomery's lame statement was that he was trying to "motivate" the player.

Bull (bleep). He lost his cool.

Player on player, fine. Take a look at the #35 after the shove (Richard Solomon), or the #1 (Justin Cobb) (source). Wholly appropriate under the circumstances. Referee on referee, coach on coach, player on player, fine.

Anything else of such physicality is an issue. A big one. There are exceptions for strained situations, such as a fight, but honestly, take a lesson from NHL linesmen who are unbelievably effective in managing this scenario.

His delay in finally "apologizing" was also lame, as was the canned written apology itself.

"While my intent was to motivate our student athletes, my behavior was inappropriate and I apologize for my actions." (source)

I hope his personal offering to Crabbe was better than that.

The university or the league should set an example, and sit him for at least a match. Maybe even two, as apparently this was the 2nd time Montgomery shoved one of his players this month.

Motivate ... what a joke.

It is a sad, sad day

Fifa confirm that goal-line technology will be in place for the 2014 World Cup

Fifa announced plans on Tuesday to introduce the technology to the game’s flagship tournament and invited tenders from interested providers, and the Premier League later revealed that it was “close to entering a formal tendering process” as well.

Fifa hope to confirm which of four systems they have chosen by “early April” so the technology could be used at this summer’s Confederations Cup in Brazil. ...

See the whole story here, from The Telegraph.

Kicking Back Comments: As I have said before, I am not a fan of this at all. I think it disrupts the "free will" that is part of The Game itself. To begin to take these decisions out of the hand of referees is "the camel's nose under the tent" in my opinion.

Video review of Offside is next folks.

Yeah, yeah, yeah, I have heard many people say, "... this is it ...", only GLT during active play.

Honestly I don't believe them at all. I do believe that over time this will be the beginning of the erosion of the referees authority inside the field during active play.

Others have opined this has taken place over a long period of time with the adjustments to the LOTG that have been made. I do agree with this line of thinking as well, yet nothing has been so aggressive a step as what we are seeing with GLT. 

... and for what some may ask.

This will be for the highest level matches around the world, and that's about it. Don't expect to start seeing GLT at your local U-12 match.

Lets just hope that the technology works. FIFA request for "other tenders" was interesting to me in this regard. If it works, why change it?

Prepare for all heck to break loose when it is shown that GLT fails even once ...

After that, what happens?

Yep, it's up to the guy in the middle and his team anyway. They'll get blamed either way I'm sure.

Chuck's Done ...

FIFA Whistleblower Will Not Seek Re-Election

Chuck Blazer, the American member of FIFA’s executive committee who went public with bribery accusations against his boss two years ago, said he would not seek re-election for a fifth term and would leave his position in May after 16 years. Blazer, 67, is the most senior American official in world soccer, but his departure was expected after his role in the scandal over Mohamed bin Hammam, a candidate for FIFA president. ...

See the whole story here, courtesy of the NYT.

Kicking Back Comments: It's too bad actually. Chuck is a flamboyant face on an otherwise drab circuit. I am sure he has better things to do than get pummeled by people who are looking to turn every rock over at FIFA.

I personally, wish him well in "retirement." 

Why the heck is this taking until May?

FIFA sets May target to approve tougher sanctions for racist abuse at matches

ZURICH — FIFA aims to approve tougher sanctions for racist abuse at soccer matches when its 209 member nations meet at the FIFA Congress in May.

FIFA President Sepp Blatter led a meeting Friday of its Strategic Committee, which included UEFA President Michel Platini, and discussed combatting racism and match-fixing.

Blatter has previously said point deductions and relegation punishments are needed as disciplinary options to help deal with discrimination at matches. ...

See the whole story here, courtesy of The Washington Post.

Kicking Back Comments: Dear Sepp ... if you want to end racism and feel (rightly) that draconian measures are needed to do so (like relegation) ... THEN DO IT!

Why wait another minute to implement these changes?

Grow a spine, and by executive FIAT put everyone on notice that in (30) days bans begin to go into effect. If you commit racism ... you are banned for at least a year ... team responsible ... relegation.

Stop screwing about. If you want to end it ... and we all should ... end it!!  

Nice Kit!!

For those who have not seen it, MLS Talk has leaked the 2013 US National Team kit here .... very nice.

When 'o when will referees get such a luxury?

I know that we are supposed to be "invisible", but a nice kit I think would do wonders for the referee ranks, yes? Then again, I have always been a fan of the basic black, long sleeve kit.

I suppose it is better than referees wearing advertising on their jerseys as had been suggested in the past.

I can see it now ... "And the referee's for tonights match are sponsored by "Lens Crafters." Providing quality eye care since 1973."

Maybe basic black, long sleeve is the best way to go.

Happy Valentines Day

Credit: Tumblr

Check out, 7 Reasons Why We Love Soccer, courtesy of Bleacher Report. An appropriate read on this day honoring Saint Valentine.

I'm Pro Union!!

Three unions back MLS soccer stadium project for Flushing Meadows-Corona Park
A trio of unions is throwing their weight behind a contentious proposal to construct a soccer stadium in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, the Daily News has learned.

The endorsement, expected to be announced Thursday, marks the first organized labor support for the plan.

See the whole story here, courtesy of the NY Daily News.

Kicking Back Comments: I am a fan of RedBull Arena honestly, but another soccer specific stadium can not hurt "the cause." There is however significant opposition to this stadium as can be seen here, and here.

Very interested to see what happens next as the deal would seem to be tied significantly to Mayor Bloomberg's remaining term.

Platini v. Blatter - Round 1 for the Presidency?

Blatter angry with UEFA over declaration on FIFA reforms

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - FIFA president Sepp Blatter took a swipe at European governing body UEFA on Sunday for what he said were attempts to block his reform process to make soccer's governing body more transparent and less prone to corruption.

Blatter said he was surprised that UEFA, headed by Michel Platini who is a possible rival for the FIFA presidency in two years' time, had declared itself against key proposals from FIFA's reform working party the Independent Governance Committee (IGC). ...

See the whole story here, courtesy World News Australia.

Kicking Back Comments: Sepp seems to be walking back his retirement in a couple of years. I wonder if he is really going to go through with it given what would be a clear challenge from Platini?