The Concept of Goal-Line Technology - Literature review Example

GOAL LINE TECHNOLOGY Name Name of the institution 15 November 2015 Executive Summary As the world is embracing technology in every function, in the world of sport, it has been the same case. For sportsmen and women, technology has shaped the industry making it more effective, efficient and an industry with minimal errors. Technology in sports is widely available in sports such as football, rugby and tennis. However, technology is hugely embraced in football as one of the adorable sport in the world. The call for goal-line technology in football has received mixed reaction with some football analyst claiming it is the best the step for the industries. Critics feel that goal line technology makes football official such as the referees to be reluctant in its decision. In English Premiere League, goal line technology has become a success in football following several tests that have been carried out. Therefore, in this report the idea of goal-line technology has been discussed drawing much attention on the meaning of goal-line technology, how it works, the amount that each team in EPL paid for GLT, as well as explaining the testing conducted before use. Goal line technology Introduction Currently, the football experts believe that technology is changing football or rather soccer for the better. Historically, the use of technology in sports mostly soccer has been a contentious matter. Critics say that technology in soccer slows down the game, and it offers unfair advantages to some teams. However, as football is being tipped as one of the highest earning business, digital technology has been embraced extensively. For instance, in the English Premier League (EPL) the use of digital technology has taken the Premiership League into another level. Technology in football demonstrates scorer innovation and creativity of the industry on the pitch. Surujlal, & Jordaan, (2013) State that the like of goal line technology and vanishing spray has changed football as it makes the soccer industry to run effectively. The use of goal-line technology in soccer has proved the invaluable of technology in the sport for both the referees and teams. The implementation of the goal-line technology in the pitch makes the soccer industry operate smoothly. The goal -line technology has not only changed the rules of the game, but it also ensure that the rules are effective within the football industry and all the stakeholders are satisfied. Therefore, this paper focuses on discussing in details the concept of goal-line technology as it is adapted to the football pitch. What is goal line technology? Psiuk, Seidl, Strauß, & Bernhard, (2014) defined goal line technology as the technique that is used to determine when the ball has entirely crossed the goal-line that is between the goal posts and under the goal crossbar. In the further description of the goal-line technology (Thomas, 2012) say that goal line digital technology is that electronic device that is used to assists the referees in awarding the goal or deny awarding the goal. For example, in English Premier League (EPL), the match between Arsenal and Swansea that was played on May 11, 2015, the use of goal-line technology helped the referee on awarding a goal to Swansea as the players were arguably claiming the ball did not cross the line. From the description of the term goal line technology and the example provided above, it is clear that the GLT can be viewed as a device that work with one major objective. Ryall, (2012) as a soccer analyst claims that the objective of goal-line technology (GLT) is not to replace the obligation of the referees in the pitch but it is rather to support them in implementing decisions of awarding a goal. As an electronic device, GLT makes the referees be independent in the field and work confidently as the device takes the game into a new era, an era of no mistakes and an era of efficiency and effectiveness. How does goal line technology work? As the new technology has changed the whole game, making the football industry to overcome human errors, there are two main systems that are used in carrying out the whole GLT tasks. How each system work is very different, but both systems work with one objective, to minimise the referees’ errors and to support them in making decisions. Bal, & Dureja, (2012) Stated that the approval of the Hawk-Eye and Goal-Ref system makes scorer effective and efficiency whereby the referees are assisted in awarding vital decisions. Hawk-Eye goal-line technology works with six super speed cameras that can shoot at about 500 frames per second. According to (Nlandu, 2012) the Hawk-Eye GLT cameras works with a speed that is 20 times faster than the normal camera. With that very high and efficient speed, the cameras track every movement of the ball in the field from each corner and at any angle. The images that are captured by the cameras are collected inserted into a computer and then compared. The computer used has lines like the one that are painted on the pitch. The lines help in triangulating the exact location of the ball. BetaNews, (2014) state that the goal netting that is presented by the system is black and three small black dots are used as they are placed on the goal posts. This is mainly used so as to help the cameras demonstrate correctness. For example, as it was seen in the recent England team friendly match against Belgium, the goal netting was showed by black and small dots were used to determine whether the ball has crossed the line or not. Furthermore, after the images are collected, they are compared. When the computer shows that the ball has crossed the line, an encrypted radio signal is transmitted to a device worn by a referee inform of a watch. Then the signal notifies the referees that a goal has been scored later the referee make the decision of awarding the goal. On the other hand, the Goal-Ref GLT system works in a simple way when compared with the Hawk-Eye system. According to (Thomas, K. 2012) Goal-Ref technology works by the implementation of the electronic antennas that are implemented around the netting posts and the crossbar. Psiuk, Seidl, Strauß, & Bernhard, (2014) Stated that with electronic probes fitted in the lining of the ball, the Goal-Ref system has the capability of knowing when the ball cross the line. Just like the Hawk-Eye, when the Goal-Ref detect that the ball has crossed the line, a signal is sent to the referees watch with the purpose of notifying a goal. For example, in one of the most unforgettable match between England and Germany which was played in the 2010 world cup it is believed that if the Goal-Ref system or Hawk-Eye system was used then the Frank Lampard equalizer would not have been disallowed. Is the goal-line technology entirely automated? The GLT is referred by many people as the most debatable matter. In some nations, the systems are yet to be implemented due to related factors that include the cost and the nature of the automation of the system. However, in successful countries where GLT is being used, for example in English Premier League, the whole system is automated. To support this statement, researchers claims that the whole process takes the shortest time ever in allowing the officials to make decisions. Oberstone, (2010) said that the device cameras provide an automated visualisation of every aspect of the ball within the goalposts and under the crossbar. Also, the way each system work depict the automation of the GLT system. In both systems, the only human effort that is required is from the referees on indicating the goal has in fact crossed the goal line. As such, the entire process incorporates automatic devices such as computers, automatic cameras and high standard watches that are worn by the referees. Bal, & Dureja, (2012) identified that GLT can occur any level and different situations. Therefore, with the computers notifying the referee that the goal has crossed the line, the fans who watch the football match on screen also get a chance to see the implementation of the GLT system. Black dots are aired to show the way the ball has crossed the line and the underneath crossbar (Nlandu, 2012). Ideally, this makes the whole process entirely automatic to both the teams, fans and the officials. For example, the Hawk-Eye goal line technology was tipped to start in success as Hull City played Chelsea on 18 August 2013. In the match, Chelsea won but there was a situation whereby the Chelsea players were claiming for a goal, with the help of the goal-line technology, the referee denied the claim, and there was no goal. The automation of the whole process can be viewed in the case whereby every bit of the decision is aired on the screen and the way the process help the referee to make decisions. Is goal-line technology tested before it being is used? Initially, before the whole system of GLT was brought into use, several tests were carried out. For example, on March 3, 2012, the International Football Association Board (IFAB) announced that the Hawk-Eye and Goal-Ref systems suit the initial test that were conducted, and the two system had to undergo a second phase testing. Nlandu, (2012) state that before the use of any technology system in football, test are necessary so that each system is approved by the IFAB. Importantly, the GLT system is tested before being used so as to facilitate effectiveness and efficiency. For example, on the second phase test of Hawk-Eye and Goal-ref technology system, the tests of each system selected a stadium to test each system. According to (Premierleague.com, 2015) in carrying out of GLT systems tests, imaginary scenarios are used in the stadium and this help improve the effectiveness of the system in the actual situation. Looking at the case whereby the Hawk-Eye was tested at St. Mary’s stadium in England, it is a clear indication to show that the systems are initially tested before being implemented in the actual scenario. Although, the match that was played at St. Mary’s stadium in England which involved East Leigh FC against A.F.C Totton was an actual match, the use of the Hawk-Eye system was treated as a test. The system supported the referees’ decisions, and it was treated as a professional match used to test the system. More testing of the GLT technology was noticed in a friendly match between England and Belgium. With various tests conducted, the system was found effective, the IFAB approved the system, and it was implemented in the EPL match. How much it cost each team in the English Premier League to install the GLT After the invention of GLT systems, English Premier League was the first league in the world to embrace the services of GLT. The Hawk-Eye company was passed qualified to install its system in the different stadium across England so as to facilitate the support of the referees in making a decision in the pitch. The whole process sounds useful, but it is also costly. For the EPL teams, the GLT cost each team £ 15,000 for the installation of the system (Premierleague.com, 2015). Also, the amount covered the testing cost as tests of the system were necessary before installation. Additionally, the FIFA quality seal cost each team at about £250,000 so as to enhance effective installation of the system (Premierleague.com, 2015).To sum up all the cost, which was incurred by the installation of the GLT, the EPL teams paid at about £300,000 to the world governing body FIFA so as to facilitate the installation of the system in each stadium in that hold the EPL matches. How long has the goal-line technology been used? Surujlal, & Jordaan, (2013) state that in different nations across the world, goal line technology has been used in different soccer competitions. GLT has been used since 2012 up to date. In the year 2012 the world football governing body FIFA disclosed that GLT was to be used in the FIFA Club World that was played in Japan. Later, in the year 2013 the goal line technology was used in confederation cup, and it was a success. According to (Altschuler, 2013), the success of goal-line technology was identified at the 2013 confederation cup. As a result, the football world governing body decided to install the system at 2014 FIFA world cup. GLT was a massive component on the 2014, world cup as one of the largest sports events across the globe. In 2014, world cup competition, GLT changed the game making it run smoothly and becoming effective than in any other time in the past. For example, in the match between France and Honduras, at Beira Rio stadium, the system was used in declaring a goal for France. Researchers’ claim that GLT is one of the essential sports technology development since the year 2012 (Nlandu, 2012). On the other hand, English Premier League has embraced the use of goal-line technology since August 2013 up to date. Ryall, (2012) Found that in April 2013 the England FA declared that Hawk-Eye a goal line company has qualified to run the goal line technology in the 2013-2014 EPL campaign. Since then the system has been used in the FA Competition, League Cup and in the major competition that is the English Premier League. For example, the first goal to be resolutely awarded by the goal line technology in English Premier League (EPL) was the one by Edin Dzeko. The goal was scored in a match between Manchester City and Cardiff City on 18 January 2014. Conclusion Conclusively, with technology being under scrutiny in other type of sports, in soccer, technology has played a major role in making the sport operate smoothly and as well as effective. Most people are focusing on the installation of goal-line technology in the English Premiere League. As one of the successful league in the world, EPL has invested hugely on goal line technology. However, as goal line critics continue to claim that implementation of the goal line technology in football will diminish the human element in the game; the whole process can be viewed as an incorporation of various figures. The goal-line technology integrates high-speed Cameras, computers and the officials who officiate a game on the pitch. Cost is another problem that is being referred by GLT critics as the main challenge that is being encountered in the quest of installing the goal line technology in the sport. However, the system has in recent years eliminates controversies in the football matches between players, referees, and managers. Both the Hawk-Eye and the Goal-Ref digital technology system are simple to run and to comply. The systems work in a simple way by just giving a notification to the official whether the goal has crossed the line or not with a signal from the computerised devices. Appendix Bibliography Altschuler, E. (2013). Goal-line technology: American football is clear on uncertainty. Nature, 498(7455), pp.434-434. Bal, B. and Dureja, G. (2012). Hawk Eye: A Logical Innovative Technology Use in Sports for Effective Decision Making. Sport Science Review, XXI(1-2). BetaNews, (2014). How technology is changing football (or soccer) for the better. [online] Available at: http://betanews.com/2014/09/15/how-technology-is-changing-football-or-soccer-for-the-better/ [Accessed 13 Nov. 2015]. Nlandu, T. (2012). The Fallacies of the Assumptions Behind the Arguments for Goal-Line Technology in Soccer. Journal of Sport, Ethics and Philosophy, 6(4), pp.451-466. Oberstone, J. (2010). Comparing English Premier League Goalkeepers: Identifying the Pitch Actions that Differentiate the Best from the Rest. Journal of Quantitative Analysis in Sports, 6(1). Psiuk, R., Seidl, T., Strauß, W. and Bernhard, J. (2014). Analysis of Goal Line Technology from the Perspective of an Electromagnetic Field based Approach. Procedia Engineering Journal, 72, pp.279-284. Premierleague.com, (2015). A history of goal-line technology. [online] Available at: http://www.premierleague.com/content/premierleague/en-gb/news/news/2012-13/apr/history-of-goal-line-technology/ [Accessed 13 Nov. 2015]. Ryall, E. (2012). Are there any Good Arguments Against Goal-Line Technology?. Sport, Ethics and Philosophy, 6(4), pp.439-450. Surujlal, J. and Jordaan, D. (2013). Goal line technology in soccer: Are referees ready for technology in decision making?. African Journal for Physical, Health Education, Recreation and Dance, [online] 19(2), pp.245-257. Available at: http://www.ajol.info/index.php/ajpherd/article/view/89820 [Accessed 13 Nov. 2015]. Thomas, K. (2012). Goal-line technology scores with FIFA. SPIE Newsroom. Read More