Should there be a second referree in football (soccer), one who looks at video to make a call?

Question

They have such referrees in rugby. Seems to work well in rugby. Why shouldn't it in soccer? Are we really supposed to respect, uphold, for example, Maradonna's 'Hand-of-God' goal? That would be respecting, upholding, cheating. Wouldn't a TV-watching ref inject more fairness into a match, and a tournament such as the World Cup?

Answer 1

I think your absolutly right! there should be a second ref in the game , one that would watch the tapes. Then players wouldn't fake so much because they would know they wont get away with it! All this acting in soccer now is getting to be to much! IF YOU WANNA ACT INSTEAD OF PLAYING SOCCER GO TO HOLLYWOOD!!!!!

Answer 2

No, there shouldn't be a second referee. Your right that a TV-watching ref would make the game fairer, but refs would abuse the system and make the exciting game of soccer a drag to watch. Ref's would abuse such a system by looking at the video every time a decision had to be made. Sure, Maradonna's 'Hand-of-God' goal would have been disallowed, and Australia wouldn't have been eliminated from the world cup, but the Ref made a decision which has to be respected. Even in rugby, the video ref still makes poor calls.

If a video ref was brought in, where should the line be drawn? Should red card decisions be sent to the video? should throw in calls be sent to the video? Ref's wouldn't want to risk being ridiculed or abused, so would go to second referee's for every decision, which would extend the game for a lot longer than necessary.

Answer 3

Absolutely. I've been calling for video replays to be used since long before this year's tournament began (as you may have seen from some of my previous questions.

The amount of cheating (& bad/erroneous calls by refs) cannot be tolerated any longer, especially on the world stage.

An additional official to do this would enable play to continue whilst decisions were made.

Call me a conspiracy theorist, but why hasn't it happened now that the technology is readily available in such matches? I can't see it ever happening - FIFA won't allow it, because it would make it too hard for them to manipulate the game.

Answer 4

I think video review would be a welcome addition to the game, however, I think it should be limited (how it should be limited I have not yet thought of). Another big problem is with the rules themselves. FIFA rules are so vague that they can be interpreted anyway a particular ref sees fit, and FIFA should define them better. Also, there are rules (such as offside) that build in the opinion of the referee, so an opinion can never be wrong so the call will always stand. I understand why refs are stabbed and beaten, I'm not saying it's right, I'm just saying I understand.

Answer 5

Soccer is actually a British term. The sport is actually called association football which was shortened down to assoccer because there was a time when the Brits added "er" to things and eventually it became soccer. The sprots are the same. This is probably the single most idiotic argument in sports history. It pains me whenever I see a legimiate comment responded to by "it's called football you idiot" or "it's called soccer you idiot". Here in North America we call football football and we call soccer soccer. In fact, they call it soccer in South African and New Zealand among other places, and until 2005 Australia's national football federation was known as the Australian Soccer Federation. Their nicknames are the socceroos for heaven's sake. This is not an American term and it's not even used by the United States exclusively.

Answer 6

No i dont believe in the replay,but what about 2 extra officials 1 at each goal,that way we're not depending on a lines man who,s 70 yards away to say or not to say if the ball crosses the line.Thats a great idea i am so good.

Answer 7

I agree 100%. That's the only way we clean up this sport. It's high time for FIFA to get their act together! Many a game was lost to these diving cheats, we all know who they are.

Answer 8

Nah, it would take too much time and it would inerrupt the flow of the play, besides that's what soccer is all about the human element to the game.

Answer 9

ur right.. i believe some of them s*ck, just like the one who gave France a penalty,, coz from his side it looked different but when we saw it on tv it was clear that its ok (didn't deserve a penalty)!!!!

Answer 10

It would be a great idea, but FIFA will loose money as their main income is bribing, so they would loose it