Sports
NRA Boss Lauds FIFA On Goalline Technology
The Nigeria Referees Association (NRA) has lauded FIFA for adopting the goal-line technology to resolve “disputable’’ goal-scoring decisions in matches, but noted that the gadget could also malfunction during matches.
Ahmed Maude, the President of the NRA made the remark during a telephone interview with Tidesports on Wednesday in Lagos.
“Football is a game for human beings, so referees are human and liable to make mistakes, I don’t know how these gadgets will work but how error proof are they?
“It is a welcome development, it will make football more interesting, there are lots of technologies that have been introduced that have helped to improved the game.
“Machines can fail just like human beings, I guess we will just have to make this work, mistakes are natural in soccer,” Maude said.
He, however, disagreed that the gadgets could relegate referees to the background, when it would be eventually adopted worldwide.
“No it cannot make referees useless; the new technology cannot substitute a referee, that’s impossible!
“Its an era that will serve its own purpose and its technology something new could come again tomorrow it can only get better,’’ the president said.
Tuesday’s decision became imminent after FIFA’s rule-making panel, known as IFAB, decided last July to approve goal-line technology at competitive matches after two systems passed extensive tests.
Sepp Blatter had insisted on giving World Cup referees the backup to make goal-line decisions, after England midfielder Frank Lampard was denied a clear goal against Germany at the 2010 tournament in South Africa
Following the landmark decision, the apex football body has called for tenders from companies that would want their goal-line technology gadgets approved for use by FIFA.
The technology was first used on trial basis at the Club World Cup in Japan last December.
After the successful trial in Japan, the device would now be deployed in the upcoming FIFA Confederation Cup in June in Brazil, in the buildup to the 2014 World Cup.
FIFA President, Gianni Infantino last Thursday, in Abuja, revealed how Nigeria can be made a destination for top Grade A football matches and FIFA competitions.
Infantino gave the insight when the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare took him on a tour of the renovated main bowl of the MoshoodAbiola National Stadium.
The FIFA boss, who was visibly happy with the re-grassed pitch at the stadium, said well-maintained stadia with good pitches were key to hosting grade A matches.
He said FIFA was ready to work more closely with Nigeria to develop the game and host more grade A matches in the country.
“We (FIFA) have to make sure when a country, when a government with the President, the minister and private persons are investing in football, in stadia, we work with them to give something back.
“It’s obvious that stadiums like this (MoshoodAbiola stadium) and others in Nigeria deserve the best quality games.
“They deserve top national team games, top club games and it’s not just about Nigerian football or African football, it’s about global football.
“We are working together to see what kind of new opportunities, competitions we can bring for men and women to fill this stadium and make the heart of the stadium beat for the fantastic spectacle that all of the Nigerian love, which is football,” he said.
Earlier, the minister said the Federal Government will continue to invest in sports development and facilities.
Tidesports source reports that the FIFA President, in the company of the minister, had earlier visited President Muhammadu Buhari at the Statehouse, as part of his engagement.
Former Nigerian goal keeper, Andrew Aikhomogbe has called on the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) to resolve every outstanding salaries and bonuses owed to the Super Eagles coach, Gernot Rohr before the next World Cup qualifiers against Central Africa Republic (CAR).
Aikhomogbe made this known on the backdrop of the football body’s recent deal with Baba Ijebu.
Although the financial details of the deal was not disclosed, Aikhomogbe in an interview with Newsmen from his base in Cairo, Egypt, stated that the NFF should use this platform to offset Rohr’s salaries and bonuses.
“It’s a big delight to know that the Nigeria Football Federation have signed a deal with Baba Ijebu and this will serve as an opportunity for them to use part of the money to pay Rohr’s salaries and bonuses.
“There is no better time to motivate him than now before Nigeria’s next 2022 World Cup qualifiers against the Central Africa Republic (CAR) on October,” he said.
Enyimba FC Goalkeeper, John Noble has stated that the players of the People’s Elephants will be key to the success of the newly appointed coach of the team, Finidi George.
Finidi, signed a two-year deal with Enyimba and oversaw his first full training session with the team on Thursday after a cameo appearance on Wednesday.
Speaking in a chat with Tidesports source, Noble gave his assessment of the coach in his first session under the manager and believes the former Super Eagles winger has what it takes to lead the team to the next level.
He added that the Enyimba players will be the ones to hand Finidi George his success at the club.
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