By Craig D. Reid

FIFA, sportscasters and football pundits worldwide have unequivocally stated that video reviews of wrong calls in football won’t work because they slow down and disrupt the flow of the game, and they argue that referee error is simply, “part of the game.” 

In a study analyzing sixty games from the Barclay’s Premiere league and UEFA Champions League over the past four months, statistics show that video review of questionable calls are practical and will not slow down or disrupt the flow of the game.

Furthermore, although error is part of the game, over the years this part of the game is becoming increasingly physically dangerous for players, fans and referees, and financially dangerous for teams, countries and football programs. 

The latest controversy that would have benefited from instant replay was the Feb. 2nd, 2008, game between Everton and Blackburn, where in the 85th minute of play, Everton’s Andrew Johnson scored a goal from what was whistled as an offside position.

Video replay instantly showed that he was not offside. 

How instant?

Video review showed within 12 seconds that the call was wrong.  Within 15 seconds, Blackburn’s goal keeper booted the ball downfield, which resulted in an Everton foul.

It then took 2 minutes and 3 seconds (123 seconds) for the free kick to be taken.  During that time, within 25 seconds, instant replay of the original incorrect offside call was further scrutinized in super slow motion from three angles to further prove the linesman was wrong.

The cameras then focused on the aberrant linesman, who for 20 seconds, shakily jabbered over his microphone, his mouth constantly quivered as he spat on the ground every 3 seconds, and his face increasingly paled; all classic signs of extreme nervous behavior.

Why nervous?  Certainly not for making the right call but possibly realizing his error and maybe fearing the backlash from the crowd, both which are warranted concerns.

Who can forget German referee Herbert Fandell’s fearsome face as a Danish soccer fan attacked him during a European Championship qualifier between Denmark and Sweden after handing out an initially iffy looking red card and penalty against Denmark.

This is not the first or last time that a referee has been attacked by a fan, player or coach.

There are at least three circumstances during a game where video review of a call must be and can be quickly implemented by FIFA, and the reviews will not disrupt game flow.

Furthermore, using replays at these times is not only necessary for the safety of the referees and the players, but also for the integrity and sanity of the game.

60 Match Review

Penalty kicks:  Out of 60 games, of the 17 penalties awarded, 5 were given on fouls outside the area and 12 were given for fouls inside the area. 

Of the 5 fouls outside the area, 2 were dives, 1 was not a foul, and 2 were legitimate fouls (although neither should have resulted in a penalty). 

Of the 12 fouls inside the area, 3 were dives, 2 were not fouls and 7 were legitimate fouls.  Of the 8 fouls resulting in penalties from non-fouls and dives, 4 red cards and 7 yellow cards were handed out to defensive player (players committing the foul and subsequent cards for dissention), cards that should never have been handed out in the first place if the initial call was correct or allowed to be reviewed.

After all the complaining, whining, shoving matches and goal keepers trying to psyche out the penalty takers, on average, 94 seconds of time passed by from the time of the foul to the time of the penalty kick.

A replay would have settled the issue in 12-15 seconds, the correct calls would have been made, the red and yellow cards would have been given to the right players and the game would be back on track faster.

Goals disallowed due to an offside call:  Out of 60 games 9 goals were disallowed due to offside calls.  Based on replays, 6 were correct calls, 3 incorrect.  Review of these plays would resolve the 3 wrong calls within 12-15 seconds.  Of note, 5 goals were scored from offside positions, and the goals were allowed.

To determine if the ball crossed over the goal line:  Out of 60 games, 2 goals were scored but disallowed because neither official were in favorable positions to make the right call.  On both occasions and within 15 seconds, replays confirmed they were goals.

But beyond the reality that video replay would justify FIFA’s mantra of “Fair Play,” there are even more important implications, justifications and reasons for having video review.

Erroneous calls of this magnitude can quickly change the feel, emotion and momentum of a game in a negative way. 

Teams cheated out of goals or getting a penalty called against them begin to play more erratic, which opens the doors for dirty, frustration fouls and for crowds to lose control that can lead to serious injuries for players, fans and referees, including death threats.

The way to handle the replays is as soon as one of the above scenarios occurs, the referee blows his whistle and raises his arms as a signal to a fifth referee with TV monitor access.
 
The replays should also be shown on screens at stadiums that have them because when fans, players and coaches see the replay and the resulting correct call (or reversed call), this will remove the onus of angry players, coaches and fans away from the referees.

The replay official would send his decision down to the head referee via their headsets and either the referee or a stadium announcer could clearly explain the call.

As in American football, this will decrease fan, player and coach violence, because the loss of a close game will be based on real video evidence rather than a referee’s bad call.

In as much as many would argue that bad calls has always been part of the game, in today’s game, the crowds are larger, the fans more violent, and more money is at stake.

Bad calls can incite violence because there are fans that look for the perfect excuse to start fights.  When players or coaches feel cheated by a bad call they purposely exhibit defiant attitudes to the referees that invokes escalating anger within the crowd, which creates an even greater sense of bad blood for the opposing team.

Football history has clearly shown that all it takes is one erroneous call to set off a chain of events that can lead to a team’s bankruptcy, ruination of millions of live, mob violence and possibly war.

In today’s violent world, is it really worth it to not allow video replay so crowds can go crazy, fans can attack referees, fans have excuses to start fights, players (in the eyes of their fans) have “acceptable” excuses to foul other players causing serious injury, and let the game escalate into a vicious, dirty competition where anger replaces entertainment?

What are these consequences for the game’s future and their effects on our children?

This is too much responsibility to place on the shoulders of one referee.

Video replay of wrong calls is not only a necessity…but it is a must.

But of course behind closed doors, similar to the NHL that thrives on fights and brawls, FIFA may be happy to live on this dangerous edge because controversy and violence sells, and in their eyes good sportsmanship, fair play and good conduct, does not.

Losing is part of the game but losing at all costs is downright dangerous and wrong.

HAVE YOUR SAY…
Should FIFA or league institute video replay to make sure the calls are the correct ones?  Or would this just be a waste of time…so stop all your complaining about incorrect calls.  CLICK HERE to send your emails to Soccer 365.

Dr. Craig D. Reid (PhD in science) was raised in a soccer family in England.  Reid has covered health, science and entertainment issues for 15 years with over 800 publications in various outlets like Reuters, Canadian Pharmacy, National Wildlife Magazine and his storied relationship with soccer was featured in "Soccer Zones," a book by Anne Woodworth (Alexi Lalas's mum).