Ffa Happy With The Score On Goal-line Technology

Sydney Morning Herald

Saturday January 13, 2007

Aaron Timms

WITH players and coaches forming a queue to endorse the introduction of goal-line technology in the A-League, Football Federation Australia has refused to buy into the debate over whether the game should throw off its traditional Luddism and embrace the use of technology to adjudicate on contentious goal rulings.

Thursday night's game between the Central Coast and New Zealand has breathed new life into the debate, after Stewart Petrie fired a shot at the Knights' goal that many believe crossed the line. No goal was awarded. Had it been given, the Mariners would still be in with a shot of playing in the finals. They will now probably fall just short - even if they win next week.

The laws of the game state that a goal can be awarded once the whole of the ball has passed over the goal-line. Television replays of Petrie's shot were inconclusive on that question.

FIFA, the sport's ruling body, has been reluctant to embrace the use of technology, arguing replay-enforced interruptions during games would erode the authority of on-field officials and detract from the sport's fluidity and spontaneity. That reluctance may be fading. FIFA tested new technology at the 2005 under-17 world championships, and just two months ago president Sepp Blatter said FIFA hoped to have goal-line technology in use at the Club World Championship at the end of this year.

Crucially, the technology involves using either balls with an embedded electronic chip, or a behind-the-goal camera linked to a computer, to rule on contentious goal-line crossings - not video replays.

Some national federations, such as the English Football Association, have been vocal in their lobbying for goal-line technology. The FFA, however, appears content to follow FIFA's lead on the subject.

"It hasn't been a major priority for us, to be honest," FFA head of communications, Geoff Parmenter, said. "But we will watch the developments with interest."

Sydney FC captain Mark Rudan said many players supported the introduction of technology. "The earlier FIFA brings it in, the better," he said.

Mariners coach Lawrie McKinna said that beyond all the regular arguments of fairness, it was the speed of the modern game that made the introduction of technology so vital.

© 2007 Sydney Morning Herald

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