FIFA should spend on spreading tech, not itself

LONDON - If FIFA had spent as much money on goal-line technology as it splurges on self-indulgent meetings, the United States might be going to the World Cup.

The Americans will be missing from next year’s tournament in Russia in part because of the lack of goal-line detection systems in CONCACAF regional qualifying. Whatever the American failings during a shocking loss to Trinidad and Tobago on Tuesday — and there were plenty — a lifeline could have been provided if Panama had not profited from a phantom goal against Costa Rica.

Panama scored an equalizer that never crossed the line. A draw against Costa Rica would still have kept the United States on the path to Russia but the Central American nation went on to win 2-1. The United States is out and has no recourse for protest against its absence from a World Cup for the first time since 1986.

While the American debate immediately centred on the litany of shortcomings during a dismal qualifying campaign, the spotlight could swiftly fall on U.S. Soccer Federation President Sunil Gulati. Not only on his command of a national game in decline, but why, as a member of the ruling bodies at FIFA and CONCACAF, he is not known to have demanded goal-line technology was used in all stadiums during the final group stage.

So much is at stake when a World Cup spot worth at least $10 million is on the line, and the reality is that $1.8 million would have enhanced the referees’ decision-making in those six countries.