The use of video camera's in soccer

Do we have to introduce video camera's on the football ground?

The discussion about introducing video camera's is going on for years already. Up till now the system with video camera's is never been introduced in the soccer world. Shall this ever happen ??

A lot of soccer games are influenced by wrong decisions of the arbiter. Is it really offside or not? Did the ball pass the line or not? These questions can only be answered after seeing the offical video recordings during the soccer game self. At this moment only after the game the arbiter takes a look at the video recordings, but then they cannot change their mistake anymore.

Without the video recordings there will always be soccer teams that are harmed by the arbiter. Is that tempering of the competition?

According to the supporters it is. They think it is necessary to introduce the video system. By using the video recordings the results of the games will be justified and the competition becomes honest.

Using video recordings during sport games is not a new phenomenon. In the NBA (basketball) using video recording by the referee is allowed. Also the Hawk-Eye by tennis games is an example of the usability of using video camera's during sport games.

The FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Assocation) on the other hand, was only an opponent of the introducing of video camera's. The FIFA does not want any interruptions of play during the soccer games. But two weeks ago the FIFA-president, Sepp Blatter, changed his mind. He is not longer an opponent of the use of video systems. He sais: "We can only start the experiment when the technology is completely correct working". This all is going to happen after the World Championship 2010 in the South of Africa. In march 2010 the International Board, the British institute of the rules of the game, is going to discuss the implementation of the video system during their meeting.

Personally I think it is good to introduce the video system during soccer games. It is better for the honesty of the competition to do this. After a disputable moment, the arbiter can shut down the game for a while and consult the video system for making a final decision. The only marginal comment I have is the interruption of the game, what increases the rhythm of the game.

We will see what the future brings...