Goal Line Technology
Goal Line Technology – Necessary or Unfair
Introduction
Soccer is undoubtedly one of the most popular sports worldwide. From regional club championship to the world cup, each soccer event is watched with tremendous enthusiasm by people all over the world. As soon as the match starts and until it ends, soccer fascinates its viewers by passes, shots, tackles, free kicks and penalties. Of course, in the course of all this, there are also goals. Whenever the ball enters the goal, it is a moment of triumph. For a moment everyone watching is left awe-struck until the realization sets in, and then there is much rejoices. However, what if, the referee blows his whistle and says the goal was invalid. Moreover, what if, a ball that was seemingly deflected by the goalkeeper is counted as a goal. Obviously, this would have its repercussions, but this is the idea pronounced in the goal line technology.
Two IFA-approved methods of implementing goal line so far exist – Hawk-Eye and GoalRef. To start a discussion about goal line, it should be understood how each of these technique works. Hawk-Eye, the more favored technique, is one which is already being utilized in the sports of cricket and tennis. The technique makes use of six high-speed cameras linked to fast-processing computers. These cameras track every movement of the soccer ball as it moves through the field, and the computers calculate the relative position on the ball based on metrics provided by the cameras. When the ball would pass the goal line, the computers would be able to determine this and the possibility of a goal would have to be judged. The technique is more favored because of its potential to produce excellent 3D replays of what took place, and also because it can be used on-field for other purposes than just goal line. For instance, the curves a specific free kick shot took, or even if an offside actually occurred or not could be realized with the help of Hawk-Eye. However, this technique would be
Introduction
Soccer is undoubtedly one of the most popular sports worldwide. From regional club championship to the world cup, each soccer event is watched with tremendous enthusiasm by people all over the world. As soon as the match starts and until it ends, soccer fascinates its viewers by passes, shots, tackles, free kicks and penalties. Of course, in the course of all this, there are also goals. Whenever the ball enters the goal, it is a moment of triumph. For a moment everyone watching is left awe-struck until the realization sets in, and then there is much rejoices. However, what if, the referee blows his whistle and says the goal was invalid. Moreover, what if, a ball that was seemingly deflected by the goalkeeper is counted as a goal. Obviously, this would have its repercussions, but this is the idea pronounced in the goal line technology.
Two IFA-approved methods of implementing goal line so far exist – Hawk-Eye and GoalRef. To start a discussion about goal line, it should be understood how each of these technique works. Hawk-Eye, the more favored technique, is one which is already being utilized in the sports of cricket and tennis. The technique makes use of six high-speed cameras linked to fast-processing computers. These cameras track every movement of the soccer ball as it moves through the field, and the computers calculate the relative position on the ball based on metrics provided by the cameras. When the ball would pass the goal line, the computers would be able to determine this and the possibility of a goal would have to be judged. The technique is more favored because of its potential to produce excellent 3D replays of what took place, and also because it can be used on-field for other purposes than just goal line. For instance, the curves a specific free kick shot took, or even if an offside actually occurred or not could be realized with the help of Hawk-Eye. However, this technique would be
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