3 Steps Blatter Should Take to Successfully Introduce Video Technology

We all care about football. FIFA President Sepp Blatter included. Yet, when it comes to video technology, the football world is inevitably divided on whether to modernize or keep the sport as it is today. 

Blatter has historically been an opponent of the technology but recently backtracked on his position. Two goal-line technology systems have been approved for a final round of testing, and one could possibly make its debut during the Club World Cup in December.

Regardless of whether you support the adoption of instant replay, there are three steps Blatter has to take if he wants video technology to be a success.

Learn from Other Sports

One of President Blatter's qualms with video technology is that he believes it would take the passion out of football. Blatter has been quoted stating "Then the science is coming in the game, no discussions, we don't want that. We want to have these emotions, and then a little bit more than emotions, passion."

This reasoning is flawed, not only through our intuition, but also by the success other sports have experienced after adopting the technology. 

Tennis and American football have both adopted instant replay to great effect; officials, coaches, and players have the ability to review and challenge calls, which can lead to correct, game-changing decisions.

More importantly, very few fans who follow the ATP or the NFL would insist that their sports have lost any of the passion and raw emotions experienced before the introduction of video technology.

In fact, waiting for an officiating decision to be confirmed or overturned is quite emotionally painstaking, but one can be less concerned with the chance of bad decision deciding the game.

If other sports are any indicator, video technology will not take the excitement out of football.

Focus on the Elite Leagues

Blatter is known for his belief that football should be kept pure and the same at all levels of the sport. Although commendable, this argument is simply not valid with regards to video technology.

As divisions increase in quality and become more commercially recognized, the stakes become exponentially higher. At the elite levels, millions of Euros could bank on one call. 

This situation justifies better TV coverage, better fields, and most importantly, a higher standard of making the right calls.

Blatter should recognize the notion that it would be acceptable to incorporate instant replay only at select occasions.

Test the Technology at Lower Levels

While video technology does not need to be permanently implemented at a non-professional level, lower-division leagues could serve as the ideal testing ground.

A similar strategy was implemented with regards to the two additional assistant referees whom you may have seen taking their places along either goal line.

After being experimented with in the Europa League, they were then approved for use in the Champions League, although admittedly, their usefulness has yet to be fully determined.

Giving the technology a legitimate trial would ensure that it is ready to be put into action at the highest echelons of the game.

Closing Remarks

I believe that Blatter has taken a step in the right direction by giving the go-ahead to goal-line technology. Do you? Let me know what you think about his decision, and my suggestions, in the comments section.

Thank you for reading.