World Cup’s best call: Blatter reconsiders replay
By Dan Wetzel, Yahoo! Sports Tuesday, Jun 29, 2010
Follow Dan Wetzel on Twitter at @DanWetzel
JOHANNESBURG – With global criticism raining down upon him, FIFA president Sepp Blatter did an about face Tuesday, both in tact and possible tactic.
(Ivan Sekretarev/AP)
Blatter acknowledged major officiating errors in round-of-16 losses by England and Mexico, said he apologized to team officials in both nations and promised to reopen the debate over introducing replay technology, including video review, once this World Cup was over.
“It is obvious that after the experience so far in this World Cup it would be nonsense to not reopen the file of technology at the business meeting of the International FA Board in July,” Blatter told a press briefing here Tuesday.
[Video: Watch Blatter’s apology]
“Personally, I deplore it when you see evident referee mistakes, but it’s not the end of a competition or the end of football. This can happen.
“The only thing I can do is … [speak] to the two federations [England and Mexico] directly concerned by referee’s mistakes. I have expressed to them apologies and I understand they are not happy and that people are criticizing.”
Were you listening Bud Selig?
Blatter should’ve handled this situation years ago. However, he went a long way toward looking like an executive concerned about the spirit and fairness of his sport by admitting the errors, offering contrition and showing a willingness to consider a future solution.
Even with a reopening of the issue, there is no guarantee any changes will be adopted. Among the FIFA brain trust, there remains a hard-line group that may continue to reject technological progress. That group explored the issue of replay as recently as this spring and concluded that it would continue to operate without it.
FIFA referees, however, have been under fire throughout the World Cup. Sunday’s errors were particularly egregious.
England was not credited with a goal in its loss to Germany when referee Jorge Larrionda failed to recognize a shot by Frank Lampard came down behind the goal line before bouncing back into the field of play. The goal would have tied the game at 2-2. Germany went on to win 4-1.
[Video: Are these World Cup refs the worst ever?]
It was a critical play that could have been quickly and easily overturned with the use of video replay, let alone more advanced available technology such as global positioning chips inside soccer balls. The outcry over the error, especially in England, was profound. Replays of the blown call were replayed around the world. Blatter was booed and heckled by fans outside his hotel here.
Later Sunday, Argentina’s first goal in a 3-1 victory over Mexico was clearly offside. Compounding the problem, video scoreboard operators at Soccer City replayed the highlight, allowing fans and Mexican players and coaches to see the error. FIFA policy is to not replay controversial plays inside the stadium.
While nothing can be changed for this World Cup, Blatter’s very public shift of position is telling. He was quoted in 2009 declaring the issue dead.
“Please do not insist on the technology,” Blatter said in December. “Referees shall remain human, and we will not have monitors to stop the game to see if we are right or wrong. There will be no more discussion [between fans] and then no more hope and then no more life.”
He was arrogant to think fans weren’t going to continue to discuss major officiating gaffes. And now it appears he’s heard the complaints.
Blatter should serve as an example to Major League Baseball commissioner Selig, who is one of the lone holdouts in sports when it comes to aiding his umpires. MLB saw its 2009 postseason marred by a number of easily reversible calls and has dealt with a number of high-profile errors this season.
It isn’t just players and fans who are hurt by blown calls. The referees, who made human errors while doing a difficult job, shouldn’t have to deal with the incredible backlash when technology can save them. The referee crew from the Germany-England game was forced to leave the stadium under tight security, Yahoo! Sports reported Sunday.
The extent of FIFA’s willingness to change is unknown. Blatter merely promised just another “discussion” and said it would be limited to “goal-line technology.”
If nothing else, it should allow for the review of questionable decisions involving goals – asking simply whether the ball crossed the line. It would offer little intrusion into the flow of the game and would not even be needed in most contests.
Such advancement may not do much for the English team, but by softening his position, Blatter has made himself and his organization appear less out of touch. No more lectures to fans over what they can and can’t discuss.
If nothing else, it’s a start.