Goal-Line Technology

The ball is shot, 25 yards out, it hits the cross bar! It’s bar-down, but wait was it a goal? The referee decides it wasn't, but we can tell from the replays, this it was in fact a goal. You can’t blame the ref though, because that was a hard one to decipher. In 2012, goal-line technology was introduced to soccer leagues, and tournaments, all around the world to prevent things like this happening to teams and games. The idea of goal-line technology is, when there is a difficult decision for the referee to make, whether a goal was scored or not, there is an analyzed video available to them to tell whether or not it was a goal. Within one second, the ref can look at his watch and if it says goal, then it was a goal, if not, no goal. It was a worry from fans, and officials, that the game would be interrupted by the technology, but it was agreed that it wouldn't. What are the pros and cons of goal-line technology?  

Goal-line technology can be a very effective, modern tool in which can help referees in a tough, game situation. There are some down-sides to the technology though. The initial con that many people were, and still are, worried about is the cost to make this all happen. Many cameras would have to be set up in certain positions around each goal, to make this possible. When you think about it, the amount of money it would take to create this on every field in a league, may be just too much to handle. Subsequently, in order for the technology to work, the ball has to be at least 25% visible, and if it is not, then the ref would have to make his own decision, just like before. Although this may be a rare occasion, it is possible, and could make all of the money spent on the technology a waste. Ultimately, the last con to goal-line technology is, the time it would take to show the replays, and proof on television. Which could cause people to miss parts of the game, they probably would like to see. Overall, are the cons too much to make goal-line technology a practical investment?

Will the many pros outweigh the cons of goal-line technology? Initially, the first pro of goal-line technology is, the fact that there will almost always be an accurate call made. Due to crowded penalty boxes and fast shots, it’s not always possible for referees to make logical calls, and goal-line technology is the perfect way to fix this. Subsequently, since the decision is made by technology rather than the ref, bias towards certain teams can be prevented. I’m sure if you’re a sports fan, you have accused a ref of favoring a team, and if the call is made for the ref, he can’t favor a certain team, or player. Fan satisfaction is the final pro to goal-line technology. Goal-line technology can provide the truth to whether a goal was scored or not, it can give the satisfaction to fans that they have always wanted. With happier fans, more will attend games, and more money will be generated from the sport. Goal-line technology, is it a practical idea?

Goal-line technology is becoming what some might call a necessity. It helps refs, teams, leagues, and even fans. Although there are both pros and cons to the technology, I believe, as well as many others, that goal-line technology is worth the time and money that needs to be sacrificed to make it happen. Hopefully, many more, maybe even most, teams will get goal-line technology to make soccer a more accurately refereed game. Goal-line technology in soccer, is a positive thing.