FIFA can no longer ignore issue of video replay

This has gone on for too long. Something has to give.

There have been too many instances where referees have disallowed goals in games of the highest magnitude that have severely effected the outcome of the game.

Case and point: England vs Germany.

The round of 16 match between these two sides should have unfolded completely differently. While I’m not saying the outcome should have been reversed, as Germany were the better side on that day, however, the game dynamic should have been much different.

Frank Lampard’s goal was clearly in. Many people questioned whether England's 1966 goal against Germany was good, but should have been absolutely no questions about this one.

Had the game been tied 2-2 at half time, the second half might have been much different. But instead England emerged from the first half a deflated team. Having scored two goals in under a minute, they should have been riding momentum into the next 45 minutes.

A similar situation occurred when the United States had a goal disallowed in their match against Slovenia – a goal which would have handed the USA three points instead of one in a game there rightly deserved to win.

These are simply two instances in the past couple weeks, but the issues has been a problem for far too long.

So, what do we do about this?

FIFA has stated that instituting video replay will slow down the game, something many fans are also not willing to witness.

However, this may not necessarily be the case. Look at rugby, for instance. Video referees can be called upon by the match official to determine the outcome of an attempt to score.

It would not take much for a soccer match to implement a fifth official to be used as a video referee who can help determine the outcome of highly influential and important decisions. Especially a match of such high magnitude such as a World Cup game, or even in the Champions league.

It wouldn’t take long for that official to review the play and radio his decisions to the head referee. Hell, it would take less time for that, than the amount of time wasted while the players argue with the referee over stupid calls - calls which could be eliminated with replay.

Barring this, FIFA could potentially look into having a goal judge – a referee who stands on each goal line for the entire match and whose purpose is to determine whether the ball crosses the goal line or not.

The only potential problem with this is that clearly some referees seem to have trouble with depth perception, so this may not be a solution at all

If none of these seem an appropriate solution, then FIFA might as well do away with referees all together, since they don’t seem to be doing much to enhance the game.

No, but seriously, something needs to be done about this, preferably before the beautiful game evolves into a sport of inconsistencies and meaningless outcomes.