Going high-tech worth a look-in

Sy Lerman

Once the pathfinder in introducing advancements in sport, soccer, the world’s most popular game, lagged at the back of the queue during Sepp Blatter’s tenancy as Fifa president, in regard to introducing technology.

Now, seemingly screaming, squirming and initially reluctant, the technological mode of limiting incorrect decisions by referees and their ilk has come to be accepted by Fifa’s new enlightened regime.

And its great benefit was instantly demonstrated during the current Confederation Cup in Russia, with off-the-pitch technology resulting in changes of decisions that have effectively corrected the outcome of matches.

Although in its entirety the full spectrum of using technology can prove an expensive commodity, if other sports like rugby, cricket and tennis can take advantage of its benefit in limiting injustices, there appears no good reason why soccer should not follow suit to an increasing degree.

And it would be refreshing if Safa and the PSL investigated the possibilities of implementing the use of technology in South African soccer – if initially only if it applied on special occasions.

The anti-advancement argument that it affects the flow of the game has now been debunked, with the expectation of seeing justice done only adding to the element of the game’s excitement.