World Cup Refs Are Ready to Embrace Goal Line Technology

Apparently at least one World Cup ref now says that he is ready to embrace some new goal line technology. English ref Howard Webb, who is the same ref that officiated last month’s Champions League final, said that he would be open to technological aid if it helped refs get the right call on the field.

Mr Webb said that he is open minded about anything that makes refs more credible as match officials. He said that whatever tools he is given, he will use them to the best of his ability and will use all the experience that he has to try and come to the correct decision.

However, the FIFA president, Sepp Blatter, seems to have a slightly different view. Back in March, Sepp said that he did not want non-human intervention in football. He did apologize, however, to both England and Mexico on Tuesday for refereeing blunders that worked against both of the teams. Sepp did go on to announce that there would be a special meeting of the game’s rule making body next month.

The head of refereeing for FIFA, Jose Maria Garcia Aranda, said that he would not be drawn into the debate. He said that his duty and responsibility is not to talk or discuss about the use of technology. He said that his duty and responsibility, and the refs responsibility, is to perform as well as possible.

The International Football Association Board has previously considered two different kinds of options to help refs during a football game. One is to place a microchip in the ball. The second option is to use Hawk Eye replay systems that are much like the ones used in tennis.