Comments on: Poll: What Should FIFA Do To Help Referees?

By: Dr RMA

Dr RMA — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 05:08:05 +0000

One more offcial on the pitch is just one more person that can get it wrong.
There has to be a way to review using video. Make a system in which Managers can challenge; they get 2 or 3 challenges a match; if they challenge a decision correctly they retain the challenge, if they challenge a refs decision incorrectly they lose one of their challenges.
Simple, I don’t see how this would interrupt the game so much because if a manager gets it wrong 2 or 3 {whichever} times then they lose the ability to challenge and its their own fault.
One way or another their has to be video introduced to help the game, one bad decision affects the whole outcome of a game.

By: simon

simon — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 22:55:47 +0000

As a chelsea fan I have watched in amazement not at the football sometimes but Howard Webb disgusting attempts at refereeing. After just watching Liverpool v Arsenal, again I cannot believe he has a job. It was a clear penalty and red card for Gallas. Only weathermen make as many mistakes and keep their jobs. Or is he getting paid by bookies to throw games.

By: Jay

Jay — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 06:54:23 +0000

One more official on the pitch.

By: Brian

Brian — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 02:01:20 +0000

Years ago, the NHL added a 2nd on-ice official as an extra set of eyes to catch infractions that were missed by the lead official. This system has been working now for over 10 years and for all intensive purposes it has worked out great. Combine that with video review of all goals from a central location in Toronto, and you have a very good system.

Adding a second referee to work along with the “4th official” and the two assistants on each sideline would allow two sets of eyes to watch all aspects of play in each half and reduce the amount of ground each referee has to cover. In the NHL a second referee halved the amount of distance a referee had to skate. This led to better fitness and less tired officials over the course of an 82 game season.

The best solution would be to follow the NHL model for FIFA. Add a second referee on the pitch, and have all goals reviewed on video. If there was a problem with a goal, a phone call is made to the “4th official” to hold play, a decision is made, and then the game continues.

Under no circumstance would I advocate reviewing penalty decisions, red cards, or other judgement calls. That would open a can of worms we don’t even want to consider.

By: Brad in SoCal

Brad in SoCal — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 23:58:23 +0000

If adding officials, posting them behind the goal lines would be pretty wasteful a big part of the time when play is at the opposite end. But if all 4 "outside officials (not counting the current "4th" official) worked as a team to cover all lines, with two staying in one half and two staying in the other, that might work. On corners the "off" official could come in close to the net to monitor the box, while the "outfield" official at the midway line (one on either side remember) could continue to watch the sideline on that side. Meanwhile, you still have an official to make sure the corner is taken correctly. Or, to cut costs, one could just add another "center" ref to work in partnership with the current center ref. That ref could position himself in a triangle with the R and the AR and next to the goal on corners. I think video replay has too many problems of interpretation to implement successfully. Angles are all-important, etc. Basketball used to have two and added a third. Football has too many controversial calls now that get caught and second-guessed on TV. It's time to add one or two more officials, but let's hope it's done well.

By: nssf04

nssf04 — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 23:38:15 +0000

That idea did come to mind, although I didn’t think of Bellamy in particular. How did his name not come immediately to mind? : )

By: Geoff

Geoff — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 23:29:32 +0000

That second graphic has to be wrong otherwise the French no 5 was blatantly offside when the ball was crossed. I suspect the incompetent referee team put it together to try and restore their rightfully tarnished reputations.

By: Afootieanado

Afootieanado — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 22:58:51 +0000

I would have to support the additional referee in lieu of an instant replay system. A huge benefit of football is the constant flow of play that lasts 90 minutes and only goes to extra time for injuries.

The other sports that have implemented instant replay are distinguishable because they have clear breaks in play during which the instant replay can be presented to the referees. Football has no such break in play, with the exception of the ball leaving the pitch. Allowing teams to challenge when the ball leaves play is untenable, as a challenge system would prevent teams from pressing the advantage as they brought the ball back in to play.

By: REindex.com

REindex.com — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 22:34:00 +0000

We are still reffing in the dark ages. Also, they should give out more cards to control the game more effectively, and get rid of the diving actors – especially if they are oing to use cameras for viewpoints.

By: ovalball

ovalball — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 21:47:16 +0000

“What about putting the proposed official behind each net on a raised chair, like in tennis? I’m probably overlooking some practical reasons not to do it…”

You mean like Bellamy might actually aim for him?