Per ESPN:
FIFA's steadfast refusal to contemplate using the mass of gadgetry available to broadcasters is, rightly, under more fire than ever before after the events of Sunday.
...
The justifications of the FIFA cabal for doing nothing are out of the stone ages -- Sepp Blatter's ludicrous explanation that the public likes nothing more than to debate "incidents" confirming, were it needed, he is as far out of touch with the bulk of fans as it is possible to be.
What "debate" is Blatter talking about? There was nothing to debate. Everyone saw that England was robbed! (And Mexico too!)
FIFA claims the cost [of implementing instant replay and other technology] is prohibitive; the delays would be excessive; and it would undermine the authority of the referee and linesmen.
FIFA is expected to make something like $2 billion from this World Cup alone. There's no way it costs more than $2 billion to give referees and linesmen access to instant replay technology.
And what excessive delays? Instant replays are available ... almost instantly! Like within seconds. I believe most soccer fans would rather wait a couple of seconds to ensure fair play.
Bad calls that go uncorrected undermine the authority of the referee and linesmen more than anything else, especially when everyone else in the world knows they screwed up. Furthermore, those bad calls cheapen the competition.
So FIFA, please join the twenty-first century!
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You tell them like it is sista
The fam was just discussing this yesterday, and I couldn't agree more. What idiots.
The cost to a World Cup venue would be minimal what do they use? 4 stadiums? Showing the technology at work in the most important football contest in the world might convince each participating nation to go and get it for themselves. What better venue? Blatter is an idiot.
Renmiu -- LOL. Thanks.
Persephone -- Exactly! FIFA now wants to ban instant replays at the WC venues! (to cover up mistakes...ugh)
Kate -- I think it's about 3...? Definitely no more than 4. I don't mind if they don't want to have instant replays for every match, but dude, it's THE World Cup, ya know? ITA on Blatter.