The debate rages on whether there is a place in soccer for video reviews.  Traditionalist argue there is no need for soccer video review while proponents for the technology insist it is required to make sure the correct call is made.  Soccer 365’s Pat Johnston believes it is high time that video review be implemented for the offside call.  See what you think, send Soccer 365 your opinions.

By Pat Johnston

All soccer fans are familiar with the scene.  The last defender, having been beaten with a great pass, a well timed run, or in some instances simply being out of position, has allowed the attacking forward in on goal and in a desperate attempt to reverse the situation raises his hand hoping for salvation from the linesman with an offiside call.

Sadly, it seems that many times the linesman comes to the defender’s rescue even when the only mistake is the raising of the flag for offside.  And hopefully leagues and FIFA will finally take the initiative and allow for video review for offside calls.

The offside call is definitely being enforced to the best of the linesperson’s ability at the moment.  Of course they do not get every one correct, but considering the speed of the game and amount of times they are expected to make the call, they are doing a very good job. 

But it is not good enough. 

It never fails that a blown call results in a goal being disallowed or a tally is registered that never should have been.  More often than not, a player that is thru is flagged down, the game is stopped, and a free kick is awarded.  And more often than not, the official is right, but it is that one time that he is wrong that has changed the results of many an important match.

At the 2002 World Cup that FIFA turned off the replay screens in all the stadiums due to the linesmen making a disproportionate amount of bad calls and being exposed every time it happened.  It was less than 10 days into the tournament and the level of embarrassment was beyond defending.  The officials were not inept, the game was too fast.  So FIFA did a smart thing, they ordered all the screens to be turned off.  There was much controversy to happen (just ask the Italians and the Spaniards), but at least the fans were not able to witness and convict the officials on the spot.

The solution to correct these game changing errors is simple…allow the universal fix all, instant replay, to be used in soccer! 

Despite the cacophony from the naysayers, it would be easy to implement and be better for the game.  The linesmen would be instructed to allow all close calls to play on, no flag, no whistle, no free kick.  This would create more exciting moments (it’s what the fans want) and if the continued play results in a goal, review it.  If not, play continues even if a corner kick is rewarded.

Every time an offside is reviewed on instant replay in a televised match, it has been seen two or three times by the viewer within a minute of the goal being scored.  In most cases, these replays are enough for a sufficient review, just ask the fans who attended the matches early on in Korea/ Japan (FIFA would agree with me on this point).  If he is off, make the call, if he is not, a goal.  And for all those instances when a goal does not result but a run or chance at goal has, then the game has become more exciting without any expense to the final score. 

The purist will certainly object but it is a win, win situation for everyone.  The fan gets to see a more exciting game.  The referee is spared having to make a spontaneous decision which could be wrong and embarrassing.  And the players and coaches will be awarded goals that they deserve and not suffer the consequences of an illegitimate goal.  In other words, the right decision will prevail.

Of course there are potential problems mainly that the continuance of play could take a couple of touches/ passes before resulting in a goal creating the problem of deciding where you draw the line to determine that the offside was or was not a factor.  If the replay official is prompt with the review and decision, then this would not be an issue.

Let’s find a league that will give it a trial run and we can witness firsthand the influence it will have on the game, good and/ or bad.  And finally we will not have to watch the helpless defender raise his arm like a school boy player.

HAVE YOUR SAY…

Would video replay work for making the offside call?  Do you think any league or FIFA should adopt the policy?  What are other alternatives to getting the calls right?  Or are missed calls by referees all part of the game just like million dollar athletes putting sitters over the crossbar?  Send your opinions to Soccer 365 by CLICKING HERE.  Please include your name and city.

READER FEEDBACK

I say allow the "Video Review." Like you said, a few bad calls can give a tie or win to an undeserving team. There is too much at stake in some games. Such as, relegation or winning a championship.

Giuseppi S

Yes video replay does have a place in our game especially if a goal is scored.  Or in the case when Arsenal played Sunderland at the Stadium of Light earlier this season when Theo Walcott made the run to the end line and crossed the ball in to the box where Arsenal scored.  The ball may have gone over the end line and I would be in favor video replay looking at it.
 
I do not believe Sepp Blatter is the man to take this sport forward.  He is stuck in the past and we need someone with new innovative ideas to take this sport forward.  Thjs should already be a reality   Look at tennis and the system that is already is in place where they challenge a call and they review the play quickly and move on to the next point
 
I am not in favor of video replay for offsides.  I think the problem with offsides is the way it has been established in soccer.  I am a big believer that offsides should not be called in the offensive third of the field.
 
I am a proponent of a line in between the midfield center circle and the penalty box. 
 
If the ball is kicked behind the line and the player is in a offside position, then he should be called offside. 
 
However, if you do all the work to get the ball into your opponents penalty area, and then in the attacking third you are offisde, I do not believe that.  I believe the offisdes rule, currently takes away from offense being created.
 
Jerry F

All bad or good calls are part of the game. That is why the players in the end need to take care of business on the field by putting the ball in the goal more than their opponents. Also the players must work harder not to lose the ball with bad passing and bad decisions. It's easy to blame the game on the ref, the wind, the fans, but in end it's up to players to do the business.
 
Cony K