New Referee

[worldfootballgenius]

Because of the bad calls from referees at korea/japan 2002 they will add referees at the other two boundary lines, but i don't think that's right. I think they should just add an uberreferee in a box off the field watching it on a screen with replays and all that technology and he could communicate with the referee on the field and tell him what he sees, so that the referee can call accurate calls. I mean they should do that because Spain scored two goals against korea and they were outruled for no real reason. Spain should have faced germany in the semis not korea.

[Ombak]

Source? When are they trying this out? I hadn't heard about this. Thought the communications experiments were all for now (connecting referees and assistants via ear/mouthpiece).

[worldfootballgenius]

I think it was uefa.com, they will add referees on the other two boundary lines, so there will be five refs, a head ref, and one for each boundary line, it might start as soon as euro2004. I think my uberreferee idea is better.

[IASocFan]

Maybe the Überreferee can hover above the field so he can be everywhere. Or maybe like the NFL, they can check all the cameras and wait 5 minutes before they make a call.

Don't think it will work, but I wouldn't be surprised if some technology is used. During the Confed Cup in France, they 3 refs used radio communications. I haven't seen any reports.

[Ombak]

Couldn't find it. Anyways, personally I agree with you. If you're going to try and improve refereeing at this point don't add more refs, try to find better ways for technology to help.

Frankly I'd start with consistent use of technology in post match reviews. Dish out suspensions, show referees what to look out for next time out. Those are things that could be done without adding technology to the 90 minutes and might improve the game to some degree.

[Alberto]

Just as I suspected. This is a totally bogus and fabricated post. There is no article in either UEFA or FIFA's websites claiming this experiment.

Why not post your idea instead of trying to justify it by making up a fabricated FIFA or UEFA experiment.

[worldfootballgenius]

I read it a while ago on uefa.com or somewhere i don't know, it was an old article after the world cup a year ago, it's not there anymore.

[law5guy]

Originally posted by IASocFan
Maybe the Überreferee can hover above the field so he can be everywhere. Or maybe like the NFL, they can check all the cameras and wait 5 minutes before they make a call.

Don't think it will work, but I wouldn't be surprised if some technology is used. During the Confed Cup in France, they 3 refs used radio communications. I haven't seen any reports.

They also used the radio in the Toulon Tournament in France. I found this little snippet on ussoccer-data.com:

Ricardo Valenzuela was the 4th and Craig Lowry was SAR in the Final between Italy & Portugal. Ricardo Valenzuela also officiated Japan v. Turkey. Craig Lowry officiated 7-8 matches. All the performances were good at a good level of play. The feedback on the hear-piece communication was not very good. Officials felt that effective communication can be accomplished without radio communication.

source:
http://www.ussoccer-data.com/Action.lasso?-database=ussfdoc_.fp5&-layout=Topic1&-response=gentop2.htm&-recordID=32897&-search

[TOTC]

I'd say, get rid of the RAs and make three co-equal referees like in basketball and lacrosse.

But then, do we have a video ref on every breakaway when that trail official gets lost upfield and loses sight of the last defender?

[MikeyPez]

instant replay sucks! I feel it has taken away from the game. I mean sure its cause money is on the line that instant replay came about. Soccer could benefit from the uberref but so long as there isn't a huge delay.

[Alberto]

Just so that the record is clear, following the world cup it was discussed that perhaps goal line judges should be used. Nothing came of this idea. The latest and greatest discussions surround the use of artificial surfaces like Field Turf for UEFA and World Cup Qualifier matches.

[MikeyPez]

i forgot the name of a turf the NFL is using in limited stadiums but its supposed to be very good and may applications for soccer. I dunno if this is field turf.

[Alberto]

Originally posted by MikeyPez
i forgot the name of a turf the NFL is using in limited stadiums but its supposed to be very good and may applications for soccer. I dunno if this is field turf.

Actually Mike there are two or three companies competing for a share of this lucrative market. Field Turf happens to be one of the most high profile. Their installations include Giants and Seahawk Stadiums.