Fans Criticise FIFA On Goal-line Technology Stand

A cross section of sports fans in Rivers State have criticised the world football governing body, FIFA for not heeding the calls for the introduction of goal-line technology in its competitions.

   Calls for FIFA to introduce the goal-line technology had intensified during the just-concluded 2010 FIFA world cup held in South Africa following poor decisions by referees.

The development prompted FIFA President, Sepp Blatter’s announcement during the tournament that the issue would be discussed at its technical sub-committee meeting.

But the matter has been shelved after a FIFA’s spokesman said the matter would not be on the committee’s agenda for now.

In an interviews with Tide sports, a keen soccer follower, Charles Miebaka said he was disappointed by the decision of FIFA to postpone what he called a “burning issue”.

He described the decision of most referees at the world cup, especially the clear goal scored by Frank Lampard during England’s round of 16 match against Germany that was not given, as a bad decision which would have been solved by goal-line technology.

“That goal was a clear goal which should have been allowed and it would have boosted England’s chances of competing in that match, but they eventually lost woefully. I think the world should move with the time we are in the era of technology in all facets of our life”, Misbaka stated.

Another fan, Chukwudi Igwe said that if FIFA was skeptical about the technology, they should introduce more referees to man the goal posts in the interest of the game.

He called on FIFA to experiment with more referees in future FIFA organised competitions, if it was not comfortable with the distraction posed by the technology.

“Every new thing comes by experiment, FIFA should be amenable to the wishes of the people, because it is the people that spend their money to go and watch football, and they should watch  a game and go back home feeling that no one was cheated.

“The last world cup showed that the football community can adapt to changes like we saw in the Vuvuvelas and the Fabulani ball”, he added.

 It would be recalled that the committee of the International Football Association Board (IFAB), comprising representatives from FIFA and the four home nations, had rejected the notion of goal-line technology in March on the grounds of cost and possible disruption it would bring to the game.

The body which meets in Wales this week said it would not discuss on the issue till October when it would have a more formal meeting.