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.
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.
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