Refereeing - things have to change - 07/04/2003

Referee’s are human, they make mistakes. Sometimes the effects of their mistakes are minor and don’t have any influence on the outcome of the game. This wasn’t the case yesterday! Neale Barry’s decision to let play continue after Gravesen’s challenge on Bernard was incredible, and for me, it could have lost the Championship for Newcastle. By rights he should have also sent off Woodgate – but he bottled it. It was a very poor display and the consequences are massive. There’s talk that Gravesen might be punished on video evidence, but that means very little to Newcastle United as the damage has already been done.

I’d have taken a draw before the start of the game, although initially I’d have said a win. When I thought about it, we would still have been in it with a point. Now I’m sure that we can’t make up what is effectively a seven-point gap (their goal difference is worth an extra point). I can see both Arsenal and Man Utd dropping six points, but not more than six.

Looking back at the refereeing decision, what frustrates me is that the authorities seem so against the use of technology and TV playbacks. Their main argument appears to be the claim that it’ll slow down the game. But that’s a weak argument, after contentious decisions the game is often stopped because the aggrieved players have a go at the ref - in the time taken to calm things down, the fourth official can comfortably view a replay and make the correct decision. It happens in rugby, it happens in cricket, it’s time football caught up!

There’s also another supporting factor in using TV playbacks…it can calm down heated situations and eradicate dissent! Players can be incensed when decisions go against them – but if an incident has been replayed on TV and the decision still goes against them, firstly they’ll know that they themselves must have missed something or got it wrong, and secondly, there’ll be no anger vented at the referee as it’ll be the fourth official making the decision. It’ll take the heat off the man in the middle and therefore improve the relationship between players and the referees – something the FA have tried to do for decades!!

Another positive can be found when looking at cricket and rugby – whenever there’s a decision to be made, whether it’s a try or no try in rugby league, or a run out in cricket, a degree of excitement is generated in anticipation of the decision. It effectively becomes part of the game, it in itself adds to the drama of the occasion. Maybe it’s time for a greater debate on the subject, I certainly haven’t met any fans who are against the introduction of these types of changes, if there’s genuine debate then maybe will bring forward the introduction of technology. I’m sure it’s going to happen, it’s just a question of time.

What is your opinion about this article?
Start a new topic at our forum!