Rage Online Blog

In case some of you missed this article from the Swiss Times, there is a new technological initiative designed to help referees tell whether or not the ball goes out of play. The system works by utilising a series of chips on the shin-pads and the ball which will transmit a signal to a series of antennae around the pitch, creating a three-dimensional virtual image, and which determines the relative positions of the ball and the twenty two players. The referee, via a special watch, will be informed of an off-side or whether ball has crossed the goal line.

The initiator of the system is a chap by the name of Roland Stucky, a former football player and a German with a large chip on his shoulder about the controversial Geoff Hurst goal in the 1966 World Cup Final (you know, the one that hit the bar and bounced down onto the line but which was awarded on the say of the Russian linesman). According to the article Nurenburg's stadium is being equipped with the relevant electronic gear over the next few weeks and there's to be a public demonstration of the system during the Winter, with the first test involving two teams in a real match scheduled for the end of 2003. Apparently both FIFA and UEFA are very interested in the results of the test, although the cost (200,000 Euros to fit out the ground) could prevent it from becoming widespread.

Labels: Chips, FIFA, referees, UEFA

The possibility of change to the game looms ever closer according to today's Guardian. It reports that many of Europe's top coaches are in favour of the idea of two additional match officials, monitoring the goal-lines, to assist the referees. Whilst many officials, including Pierluigi Collina, are opposed to using video technology, and the idea of two referees has never really caught on, this new approach looks both sensible (if the logistics can be overcome) and relatively popular, although not universally so. I'd be interested in your comments on this issue.

Labels: referees

There's a very interesting, and very important, report in today's Guardian concerning a new FIFA directive. Essentially, from next month, a player receiving a red card will have to serve an immediate one match ban with no right to appeal except in cases of mistaken identity. This is a hard-line ruling introduced to prevent apparent abuses of the current system. In England it would mean that some of the high-profile appeals that we've been seeing recently would no longer occur. This is probably a more sensible system as it ensures that all players will be treated equally and everyone knows where they stand, whereas currently some players can use the appeal system to mean that they will be available for a game that they might otherwise be suspended for if they didn't appeal.

Labels: FIFA, referees

One or two interesting pieces in today's Observer. Possibly the most worrying is the story that Darlington are hoping to sign Faustino Asprilla, who is apparently a personal friend of chairman George Reynolds. Thankfully we've already played Darlo, so we only have to worry about him when they visit the KasStad, although it is always disappointing to hear of our rivals attempts to climb out of this division ahead of us. It's one way to fill their new stadium, but I'd rather that their problem was how to fill it in the Conference.

There is also an interesting article by Steve Baines, the only referee who used to be a professional footballer. He makes the point that, with so many players (over 550) currently looking for clubs, some of them should consider taking up refereeing as they will have a particular advantage that they can bring to the job. Baines took charge of two Oxford games last season - the win at Hartlepool and the scoreless draw at home to Bristol Rovers.

Wimbledon supporters will be heartened by the news that there is a possibility of their relocation proposal being reconsidered. A report submitted by the Wimbledon Independent Supporters Association (WISA) has shown considerable discrepencies between the evidence submitted to the independent commission by the club to support their application to move and the accounts submitted two months later. If it can be shown that the commission was misled by the club then there could well be a point for having the case reheard.

Finally there is a fascinating story about the problems besetting the Italian League, and the quite Machiavellian influence that Silvio Berlusconi wields over the procedings, being chairman of AC Milan, owner of a couple of media companies, oh, and Prime Minister of the whole blooming country too...

Labels: AFC Wimbledon, Darlington, Faustino Asprilla, referees, Steve Baines

We have also discovered that, despite rumours to the contrary, the FA has not changed the offside rule.

Labels: FA, referees