World Football: 10 Bad Decisions That Highlight Need for Goal-Line Technology

FIFA’s refusal to grant Arsenal permission to trial pioneering goal-line technology during the upcoming Emirates Cup reignited a debate that the sport’s governing body hoped to put on hold.

Why do referees not have access to television replays when the technology is readily available?

In a recent interview with Sky Sports, Wenger commented:

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"'You want it so you have a better chance to make the right decisions,' said Wenger. 'You know it could be a help for the referees. The more help they get, the more decisions they get right. If out of 100 decisions they get 95 right instead of 85, you have to use technology. And I would like to use it for more than goal-line decisions, but it's a first step.'

Wenger added: 'I think FIFA do not want to start to have a different set of rules for it here and there and I can understand that. But the good news is they are open to it and it looks like in the next World Cup we will have it.'"

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I have put together a short slideshow of 10 goals that can be used to help reiterate the importance of introducing goal-line technology to the world’s most popular sport.

As always, feel free to engage with me!

Frank Lampard

England vs. Germany, 2010 FIFA World Cup

It does not matter where you are in the world; if you are talking about the importance of introducing goal-line technology, this is the goal that everyone talks about.

Clashes against Germany are the most popular among England fans for numerous reasons, the most important one being that they normally lose to Germany in important matches. Perhaps this is why the goal is still discussed with such vigor more than one year after it happened.

If it was not for the mistake of disallowing the goal, England would have gone into the second half tied at 2-2, instead of trailing 2-1. While there is no doubt in my mind that Germany would have won the game, the mistake by the match officials undoubtedly changed the flow of the second half.

If the scores were level, England would not have played the risky attacking football that they were forced to play, thus leaving them exposed to Germany's supreme counterattacking football.

The ball did come out of the net very quickly, and it was struck from some distance, so it would be reasonable to give the match officials the benefit of the doubt that they could not see the goal. This only proves, however, that goal-line technology should be introduced to aid them towards making the right decision.

German 'keeper Manuel Neuer undoubtedly saw the ball cross the line, but the days of sportsman playing with any ounce of decorum are long gone—at least in football. Another reason why goal-line technology should be introduced.

Luis Garcia

Liverpool vs. Chelsea, 2005 UEFA Champions League Semifinal

Sometimes a call might not be as obvious to fans, match officials and journalists alike. Luis Garcia's strike against Chelsea in the 2005 semifinal highlights this problem. TV angles do not provide a clear line of vision to conclusively prove that the ball had crossed the line or not.

Despite the uncertainty concerning the legitimacy of the goal, it was allowed to stand and ultimately knocked Chelsea out of the Champions League.

Still, Chelsea fans cannot feel too aggrieved. If the goal was disallowed, there would have undoubtedly been a penalty against Chelsea 'keeper Petr Cech, who would have certainly been sent off for obstructing a goal-scoring opportunity.

I'm sure given the choice, most players and fans would prefer to concede the goal but cling on to 11 men for the remainder of the game.

John Eustace

Watford vs. Reading, 2008 Football League Championship

And sometimes, the ball does not even cross the line. In this case, Watford defender John Eustace was deemed to have been the last player to touch the ball before it crossed the dead-ball line.

Of course, the ball went nowhere near the goal line. Terrible decision. The game was drawn 2-2.

Watford got their revenge a season later by beating Reading 3-0 at Vicarage Road.

Pedro Mendes

Manchester United vs. Tottenham Hotspur, 2006 FA Premier League

The less said about this one, the better. The game ended in a 0-0 draw.

Diego Maradona and the "Hand of God"

Argentina vs. England, 1986 FIFA World Cup

Perhaps the review system should not just stop at double-checking to see if the ball crossed the line. Diego Maradona's infamous handball against England in the 1986 World Cup highlights this very issue.

Although the ball obviously crossed the line, video replays conclusively show that the Argentine legend cheated to beat Peter Shilton to the ball.

It would make no sense if a goal was given under the review system if a foul or offside goal preceded the ball crossing the line. This is why goal-line technology alone is not enough. A full review system should be introduced that not only clarifies whether the ball crossed the line or not, but also that the move was legal under the laws of the game.

Thierry Henry

Ireland vs. France, 2009 FIFA World Cup Qualifying Playoff

Just to show that this is not a rare occurrence, Thierry Henry did it to crush Irish hopes of qualifying for last year's FIFA World Cup.

Nani

Manchester United vs. Tottenham Hotspur, 2010 FA Premier League

And an equally dubious call was made by the officials in a Premier League clash between Manchester United and Tottenham last year.

Nani clearly handled the ball inside the area but play was not stopped, meaning that he was technically within his rights to poach the ball from Gomes' feet and pass it into the back of the net.

There were under two minutes remaining in the game, which Spurs lost 1-0.

A simple review system would have prevented all of this controversy.

Forgive the terrible quality on this one; it was the best one YouTube had.

Darren Bent

Sunderland vs. Liverpool, 2009 FA Premier League

A review system would also find this goal illegal.

As a result of the goal, Liverpool lost the match 1-0.

Freddie Sears

Crystal Palace vs. Bristol City, 2009 Football League Championship

It does not take much to anger football manager Neil Warnock, but the fiesty Northerner was particularly agitated after a legitimate goal by striker Freddie Sears went by unnoticed by the match officials.

Palace went on to lose the game 1-0. Warnock said his team were "cheated."

Sir Geoff Hurst

England vs. Germany, 1966 FIFA World Cup Final

This is the goal that ignited the debate. Did it cross the line? Was it fractionally on the pitch still? It is a debate that was not resolved until a few seasons ago, when new technology helped conclude that Hurst's strike was, most likely, a legitimate goal.

England were trailing 2-1 at the time but Hurst's goal took the game into injury time. England went on to win 4-2. It is the only time in England's history that they have lifted the football World Cup.

And Finally...

As a fan, I accept that referees are bound to make mistakes from time to time. That does not bother me. Referees have both my full support and absolute respect. I have not made this slideshow to criticise match officials.

It is, however, important to ensure that every measure is taken to ensure human error does not have an impact on the outcome of the game. If there is technology available that can help assist officials, then it should be brought in tomorrow. Sports such as tennis, rugby and cricket have all successfully introduced some kind of review decision that helps match officials come to the correct decision.

Football needs goal-line technology.