In the wake of FIFA’s approval of goal-line technology, MLS executive vice president Nelson Rodriguez stated the league will strive to getit up and running by 2013. Three months ago, commissioner Don Garber mentioned the possibility of use during the 2012 season but that’s notfeasible, really. The systems have to be installed in all league stadiums, […]
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Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
New goal line technology: Hawk-Eye vs. GoalRef explained
Soccer has finally adopted what Wimbledon tennis organizers — never known as a bastion of liberalism — adopted for service line calls in 1980. The International Football Association Board hasfinally decided that soccer should use goal-line technology, approving two systems for testing. Hawk-Eye (bought by Sony last year) has been used — not without some […]
Posted inSoccer America Confidential, Story
Ukraine non-goal ratchets up pressure on FIFA
Thanks to John Terry, the world now has irrefutable proof that despite its possible glitches, GLT (Goal-Line Technology) must be superior to GLH (Goal-LineHuman). And if a GLT system is adopted in July, MLS commissioner Don Garber has already stated the league would implement it as quickly aspossible. That would mean the second half of […]
Posted inSoccerTalk with Paul Gardner, Story
Another Euro 2012 misadventure, another colossal collapse of common sense
On Monday, in this column, I ridiculed soccer’s attempt to make vital decisions based on supposedly accurate measurement of infinitesimally small distances. On Tuesday, a mere 20 hours later,my strictures were vindicated in the most emphatic way when Euro 2012 came up with an absolutely perfect illustration of the nonsense I was railing against. This time […]
Posted inSoccerTalk with Paul Gardner, Story
Seeking a new version of IFAB, and an alternative to the shootout
By Paul Gardner There has been some encouragement recently for those of us who think the time has come, is really way past due, when there should be some radicalchanges in soccer’s rules, and in the way that those rules are formulated. Firstly, there was FIFA president Sepp Blatter launching a broadside against the use […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Burundi's Nsekera is first female on FIFA Executive Committee
Burundian Lydia Nsekera, only the second woman to head an African soccer federation, has been named to FIFA’s Executive Committee as its first femalemember. Nsekera, has been the head of Burundi soccer since 2004, is on several FIFA committees and is also a member of the International Olympic Committee. She will beco-opted on to FIFA’s […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Study: readiness concerns for six 2014 World Cup stadiums
The Brazilian daily Folha de Sao Paulo reported Tuesday that a study by a FIFA consultant on the stadium construction or renovation program at the 12 World Cup 2014 stadiums pointed to variousdegrees “of risk” for arenas in Manaus, Cuiaba, Porto Alegre, Curitiba and Sao Paulo and no “margin for problems” at the stadium in […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Blatter: 'High time' for a FIFA museum
FIFA announced plans to build an underground museum alongside its headquarters in Zurich. The project will cost $196 million and has been approved by FIFA’s executive committee. Zurich cityauthorities need to sign off on the plans, though. FIFA President Sepp Blatter said ”it is high time that world soccer had a meeting place for itsmillions […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
FIFA adviser gives only fair marks to reform process
The first phase of FIFA’s pledge to clean up the corruption in its ranks is judged to be acceptable by an adviser assisting in the process. “Progress is as good as we could have hoped, whichis not the same as perfect or ideal,” said Alexandra Wrage, president of anti-bribery consultant TRACE. Wrage credited a 13-member […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Blatter loyalist to replace Warner
[CONCACAF] Jeffrey Webb, president of the Cayman Islands Football Association, is the only candidate nominated forConcacaf president to fill the term of the disgraced Jack Warner. Webb, hand-picked by FIFA president Sepp Blatter, received nominations from29 Concacaf member associations. The election will take place on May 23 at the Concacaf Congress in Budapest, Hungary. “I […]