The use of goal-line technology in soccer has long been a contested subject. Perhaps the majority of fans have welcomed its growing application to create a fairer, less erroneous game. However, it has also been fiercely opposed. Similarly to how Roger Federer has been so famously hostile to Hawk-Eye’s introduction to tennis, ex- Manchester United and England International Rio Ferdinand described how he felt the ‘great traditions’ of soccer’s human aspect could be undermined by goal-line technology.
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However, following on from successful trials in major leagues and competitions, UEFA -the administrative body for soccer in Europe- is expected to authorize an extension of goal-line technology’s use by the end of this week. It would then be used to accompany referees at the high-profile Euro 2016, Champions League and Europa league competitions.
Of the many systems available, there are two thought to be facing off to win UEFA’s vote. Hawk-Eye is perhaps the more famous, having been successfully implemented in the Grand Slam tennis tournaments. It currently boasts the English Premier League, German Bundesliga, and Italian Serie A as clients of its goal-line technology. GoalControl 4D, on the other hand, is less well known but was used for the 2014 World Cup, arguably the biggest, most prestigious competition of all. Both technologies use networks of fourteen cameras scattered around the stadium to provide referees withalmost instantaneous signals to their wrist watch indicating whether or not a goal should stand.
The expansion of goal-line technology thus far has certainly not been linear. Wrongly disallowed goals have perhaps been the largest factor in its rise to prominence through the immense controversy they have caused. For instance, 2005 saw Pedro Mendes’ spectacular effort versus Manchester United wrongly disallowed in the Premier League, and the 2010 World Cup is notorious for Frank Lampard’s ‘ghost-goal’ for England against Germany in the knock-out stages. Shortly after the Mendes incident, FIFA trialled microchip balls in the U17 World Cup. Seven years later, with Lampard’s ‘goal’ still fresh in mind, it was announced that 2013 would see the arrival of goal-line technology in the Premier League, and after that it would similarly be used for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. More recently, the 2015 Women’s World Cup joined the trend. But despite this almost collective movement, the MLS strangely hasn’t followed suit yet due to the high costs.
This week’s likely announcement will be advocated by the vast majority of soccer fans. At its most elementary, sport represents athleticism, competition and fairness. The extension of goal-line technology simply strengthens one of these pillars, improving soccer’s ability to conduct its games in these high-profile competitions in a fair manner. Despite some opposition, goal-line technology enhances the referee’s capacity to do their job and removes wrongful heartbreak for players and fans. Like it or hate it, goal-line technology is here to stay.