By John Considine
An official makes a bad call on the sports field and someone from the sideline roars "Are you blind, referee?" The official is unimpressed. He takes out his black book and makes his way to the sideline. When he arrives at the sideline he asks the offending party "What did you say?" The offending party replies "Are you deaf too?"
I heard the above story four decades ago. In the meantime, I have observed an increase in the willingness to question officials (and a decrease in the acceptability of telling the above story). I have also noted that one company (Specsavers) uses similar humour to the benefit of themselves and the sports entities they sponsor.
I heard the above story four decades ago. In the meantime, I have observed an increase in the willingness to question officials (and a decrease in the acceptability of telling the above story). I have also noted that one company (Specsavers) uses similar humour to the benefit of themselves and the sports entities they sponsor.
The use of technology by officials in sport gets plenty of attention. When should it be used? How is it used? How is it changing the game? The last couple of weeks have produced a few examples. New Orleans Saints might be heading to the Super Bowl if the rules allowed technology to be used to review a late game collision in their game against the Rams. It is suggested that the NFL are now considering using video evidence for pass interference calls (see a report here). The debates surrounding the FA Cup fourth round and the Carabao Cup semi-final between Chelsea and Spurs should caution against expecting technology to solve all potential issues.
The managers of Chelsea and Spurs raised a few interesting points (read a report here). Mauricio Pochettino (Spurs) suggested he is in favour of goal line technology but not Video Assessed Refereeing (VAR). One of his complaints was about the time wasted waiting for a decision. In the case of goal line technology the referee knows the computer based decision in a matter of seconds. Maurizio Sarri (Chelsea) had two complaints. First, he produced video evidence to suggest that the Spurs goal was offside. Maybe this complaint is that the technology was not good enough. Second, he said the officials are not able to use it. Specifically, one official raised his flag and, in doing so, gave an incorrect signal to the players.
Pochettino's reason for supporting goal line technology is undermined somewhat in the context of gaelic games. Decisions could be made as quickly as in Premier League game but the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) actually slows down the relaying of the decision. Some say it builds excitement. Some say it is to allows Specsavers to advertise. Most agree with the introduction of the system and the improved decision making (although "human error" can still occur as discussed here). There is greater disagreement on whether the time delay is worth the sponsorship money.
Technology and other changes have implications for the way we govern sport in the same way that they have implications for how we govern society. Even economists have known this for centuries. When Adam Smith wrote Book III in The Wealth of Nations he drew attention to the impact of change on the efficiency of rules and institutions (the Book that probably most directly deals with the overall title of his work). Smith highlighted the fact that the progress of some countries was hindered by rules that had become outdated by changes elsewhere. For Smith, the requirement to pass landed estates to the eldest son, with restrictions on how it could be disposed, hindered the movement of that same property to hands that might better develop it. For Sarri, the official running the line was effectively a relic of the pre-VAR days. The on-field official was not needed. Worse, they caused confusion. They need to be removed or their roles redefined.
Technology is changing the way sport in governed and the rate of change is increasing.
The managers of Chelsea and Spurs raised a few interesting points (read a report here). Mauricio Pochettino (Spurs) suggested he is in favour of goal line technology but not Video Assessed Refereeing (VAR). One of his complaints was about the time wasted waiting for a decision. In the case of goal line technology the referee knows the computer based decision in a matter of seconds. Maurizio Sarri (Chelsea) had two complaints. First, he produced video evidence to suggest that the Spurs goal was offside. Maybe this complaint is that the technology was not good enough. Second, he said the officials are not able to use it. Specifically, one official raised his flag and, in doing so, gave an incorrect signal to the players.
Pochettino's reason for supporting goal line technology is undermined somewhat in the context of gaelic games. Decisions could be made as quickly as in Premier League game but the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) actually slows down the relaying of the decision. Some say it builds excitement. Some say it is to allows Specsavers to advertise. Most agree with the introduction of the system and the improved decision making (although "human error" can still occur as discussed here). There is greater disagreement on whether the time delay is worth the sponsorship money.
Technology and other changes have implications for the way we govern sport in the same way that they have implications for how we govern society. Even economists have known this for centuries. When Adam Smith wrote Book III in The Wealth of Nations he drew attention to the impact of change on the efficiency of rules and institutions (the Book that probably most directly deals with the overall title of his work). Smith highlighted the fact that the progress of some countries was hindered by rules that had become outdated by changes elsewhere. For Smith, the requirement to pass landed estates to the eldest son, with restrictions on how it could be disposed, hindered the movement of that same property to hands that might better develop it. For Sarri, the official running the line was effectively a relic of the pre-VAR days. The on-field official was not needed. Worse, they caused confusion. They need to be removed or their roles redefined.
Technology is changing the way sport in governed and the rate of change is increasing.
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