With recent calls made by referees who were influenced by technology in the ongoing 2022 World Cup in Qatar, the public and fans have come out to argue that maybe it isn’t. The latest trigger of such opinion was the Argentina v. Poland game where Lionel Messi was awarded what many believe an undeserved penalty by VAR (Video Assistant Referee), moreover many fans have come out to state that technology should be abandoned in the knockout stages of the competition.
Ever since VAR was introduced into Football fans have often question the decisions it makes, however it is extremely hard to decipher the biased from the unbiased when it comes to sports, fans are happy with it when a call is made their way and are furious when it is the opposite.
Former star players now turned pundits such as Rio Ferdinand, Danny Murphy, and Stan Collymore have all come out and made their opinion on the call known, to summarize: all three former players were to say the least discontent.
Although some fans may not be over the moon about technology being further and further introduced into the beautiful game, it is happening. Before the 2022 World Cup FIFA had announced that semi-automated technology will be used at the tournament, the AI tool was implemented to help eferees make faster and more accurate offside calls.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FEPKAeGzwPU&t=11s
Some see it fit, some don’t, but it is impossible to deny how in theory and previous practice that technological tools such as AI have innovated the sport of football and have brought more of an objective outlook to certain scenarios taking place on the pitch.
Do you believe tech is needed in football? Leave your opinion in the comments.
Sources:
https://twitter.com/search?q=messi%20penalty%20var&src=typed_query
int_source=mantis_rec_rhc&int_medium=web&int_campaign=more_like_this_rhc
https://www.eurosport.com/football/world-cup/2022/rio-ferdinand-fumes-at-disgraceful-argentina-penalty-for-lionel-messi-at-2022-world-cup-in-qatar_sto9251973/story.shtml
Image by flatart on Freepik