GOAL LINE TECHNOLOGY;SEASON AFTER NEXT,MAYBE?

The goal-line technology debate was re-ignited when Chelsea were awarded their second goal in a 5-1 FA Cup semi-final win over Tottenham. Chelsea were 1-0 ahead when referee Martin Atkinson ruled that Juan Mata’s shot had crossed the line despite Spurs’ players insisting the ball had been blocked by Ledley King and Benoit Assou-Ekotto. Replays confirmed Mata’s shot had not gone in. Goal line technology has moved closer to implementation after the latest tests were considered by the International Football Association Board (IFAB). Under the chairmanship of The Football Association Chairman David Bernstein, IFAB — which sees the four home nations and FIFA come together to discuss the Laws of the Game – convened for its Annual General Meeting at the Pennyhill Park Hotel in Surrey. The IFAB received a general evaluation of eight available systems by EMPA — the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology. The first phase of GLT testing was conducted between November and December 2011. Of the eight companies, two companies, Hawk-Eye and GoalRef – following the set criteria and recommendation by EMPA – were approved by the IFAB to take part in the second phase of testing. Hawk-Eye’s system uses optical recognition with cameras, whilst GoalRef utilises a magnetic field with a special ball to identify a goal situation. The second test phase — to take place between March and June 2012 — will rigorously assess the reliability and accuracy of each system, as well as how robust the technology is. Following the conclusion of Test Phase 2, should one or more companies fulfil the criteria, a Special Meeting of the IFAB in Kiev on 2 July 2012 will decide on a definitive approval of GLT. The wearing of headscarves by female players will also be discussed for final endorsement on 2 July after a presentation was made in the meeting. The IFAB agreed to the proposal in principle that headscarves be allowed, pending an accelerated review of health and safety issues. Alex Horne, The FA General Secretary, said: “It was a fantastic meeting. It was good to see colleagues from member associations and FIFA. We had a good debate about a number of things, in particular goalline technology. “We got absolute clarity from everybody that we are going to implement it when the technology is ready – so that is coming. There is quite a lot to think about for us in terms of how quickly we can implement it. “We also had a really positive conversation about headscarves and we received a strong presentation. We have approved that with one caveat; that we have to make sure it is safe.” In relation to the proposed amendments to the Laws of the Game, approval was granted by the IFAB to amend Law 1 (The Field of Play, Commercial Advertising), clearly defining the location of upright advertising. Approval was also granted to The FA’s proposal regarding modifications to the number of substitutions allowed in amateur football. An option was offered to all four British Associations to carry out a two-year experiment. The IFAB also approved an amendment to Law 4 (The Players’ Equipment) and to Law 8 (The Start and Restart of Play). Law 8 now clearly defines the action that should be taken by match officials, should the ball be kicked directly into the goal from an ‘uncontested’ dropped ball. FIFA agreed to withdraw the proposed amendment to Law 3 (The Numbers of Players) in relation to a fourth substitution being used during extra time, and the proposal regarding Law 12 (Fouls and Misconduct) concerning the so-called ‘Triple Punishment’ will be reviewed further. In other matters, the IFAB received a presentation on the Additional Assistant Referees (AAR) experiment. Experiments are ongoing in the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League, as well as competitions in Brazil, Morocco and Qatar. A final report will be made at the Special Meeting of the IFAB on 2 July, following the conclusion of the UEFA EURO 2012 competition, in order that a definitive decision on the future of AAR can also be made. The decisions concerning the Laws of the Game taken on Saturday by the IFAB will come into effect — taking into consideration UEFA EURO 2012 – on 1 June 2012. The 127th Annual General Meeting will take place in Edinburgh, Scotland on 1-3 March 2013. 0diggs digg

UP THERE WITH THE BEST

To be honest I am still reeling from that performance on Sunday evening. Considering the state of play a couple of months ago I cannot believe anyone, not even the most ardent Blue, could have believed Chelsea would go on such a fantastic run culminating in such a devastating demolition of Spurs. First of all it was a superb spectacle with chances at both ends as well as excitement and controversy from start to finish. I must admit I expected a tiredness to overcome some of the Chelsea players as the game wore on, in contrast however they simply grew in confidence, stature and belief while the legs seemed powered by an ever-increasing invisible force. If Frank Lampard is really getting past it, then how can he still get from box to box throughout leaving enough energy to blast an unstoppable free kick past Carlo Cudicini? What about Didier Drogba as well? That was a performance to rival just about any of his best throughout his career. I have mentioned before on this page that big players keep big performances for big games and that was certainly the case here. It helped the big man that Juan Mata also had by far his best game so far in a Chelsea shirt. He routinely carved open the Spurs defence that in the end looked dazed and confused by his vision and skill. Then there was Ramires who suddenly rediscovered all the pace and energy that was the hallmark of his best performances for the Blues. Going forward he was immense and his goal from a typically unstoppable gallop forward was truly fitting. More than that, his cover play against the running machine that is Gareth Bale matched the offensive work. The more I thought about it, it wasn't just the best display this season by the team, but for large parts it was up there with the very best performances from the team for many years. One of the things you need in sport is timing and boy are Chelsea timing their late run fantastically well…so far. The slight worry is just how long this can be kept up. With David Luiz injured then carried off and a few other niggles creeping in, you just hope that it can last in what is an extraordinarily important and busy period.In plain terms, even with the fine run, Barcelona were probably not hugely worried before the weekend. Now however they will be totally focused knowing there is the possibility that they will be pushed all the way by a Chelsea team that has a point to prove and the odd wrong still to right. Right now the overriding question on every Chelsea fan's mind is how we manage to overcome Barcelona over two legs. Here is the easy bit; we have to have something from the first leg to build on at the Nou Camp. How to do that is a bit trickier. Every player is going to have to be at his best not only physically, but crucially mentally too, for the second time in just a few days. More than any other team in the world, maybe even any team in history, if you switch off for a second or leave a gap anywhere, they will find it and punish it. If the players involved will all have to play at the top of their games, it is just as vital that Roberto Di Matteo does exactly the same. Many hours and indeed days, not to mention nights, will have been spent deciding on who to play and what system to adopt. Do we change to stifle Messi, Xavi and Iniesta or do we try to overpower them with our own strengths? Before the weekend there may have been one plan, after Wembley the confidence may be there to be more aggressively positive. Even Real Madrid in last season's semi-final adapted to Barça. Jose Mourinho himself with all the talent at his disposal didn't fancy taking them on in an open game of football, he went for four defenders and three sitting midfielders in front of the back line to squeeze the area Barcelona prefer to attack through, specifically the area in front of the 'D' of the 18-yard line. It nearly worked, but only nearly. It was ugly, it was anti football if you like but it was also almost effective. Will Robbie be tempted to try a similar tactic? It is a thought, but only one of many. What about up front, we will almost certainly need a goal at least in the first leg? Well after Didier's powerhouse display and strike against Spurs can you leave him out? There must be a consideration of playing him up top and sending Fernando Torres down the right wing, I am sure Carlos Puyol would not enjoy the pace or vitality of Nando running at him, but then that may prove a block to Ramires' marauding runs. There has to be enormous energy throughout and in the first half against Spurs it showed exactly what is needed from the likes of Lampard and Ramires, who doubtless will be the first names on the team sheet. Like at Wembley a bit of luck is probably going to be needed as well, luck and brilliant defending. The luck was there when Spurs hit the post from a cross and the referee had a 'Liverpool' moment when the ball didn't cross the line and there was great defending when JT cleared off the line at the same end. The fact that he and other Chelsea defenders do that fairly regularly underlines it isn't luck but knowledge of what to do and where to go when your keeper is exposed. For all the talk, and consideration about this tie, strangely I don't find this period to be the most stressful. That is probably because in many ways it is so unexpected. Maybe the players are feeling that as well and as such it is freeing them up to produce their best. Most people feel that Barcelona are still huge favourites and the positive side of this is that all the expectation is on them, not always the best situation to find yourself in. I just hope that the team can give another magnificient display against barca. Pat Nevin(Chelseafc columnist)

WAS BJORN KUIPERS RIGHT TO HAVE AWARDED BARCELONA THE SECOND PENALTY AGAINST MILAN?

Bjorn Kuipers,the referee at the centre of action between Barcelona and Milan awarded a controversial spotkick for an action that is rarely penalised. During the course of the match,Barcelona were awarded two penalties,the first one which is acceptable but the second one is what i termed a ludicrous decision. Though Allesandra Nesta was pulling Sergio Busquet's shirt as the corner was being delivered but the contact no where near the ball,and it can be safely assumed that Busquet never had a chance of impacting the play. Carles Puyol was also infringing on Nesta which could have easily resulted into a foul against the Barcelona man,only Kuipers can explain the basis behind all of his calls in the encounter. Zlantan Ibrahimovic said in his post-match interview"The game is not about the man in green.Its a disgrace!.I couldn't believe he called a penalty when the ball wasn't in play.It seems like UEFA wants a certain two teams in the champions league final.Now i understand how Jose Mourinho fells everytime he comes to Camp Nou".The referee decision has casted a shadow upon the biggest game of this quaterfinal round. And finally and most notably,shirt pulling is an offence that is punishable with a foul but based on the precedent of thousands upon thousands of cornerkicks delivered this campaign in which no penalty was given,Milan and their fans can definately say that they were robbed.Barcelona also had their share at the sansiro but that does not justifies referee Bjorn Kuiper's decision. My question,is UEFA really giving Barcelona unfair advantage or the referee was simply poor?.Milan and their fans should accept the outcome as did chelsea,arsenal and madrid all accepted during their time.

GEJ ADMINISTRATION:THE GOOD,THE BAD AND THE UGLY(CONTD)

Corruption in the last two years is increasing geometrically due to GEJ uninhibited attitude to corruption because of trying not to step on toes.The late British satricist,Doug Larson said "the reason people blame things on the previous generations is that their is only one other choice".The Nigerian government has made its only choice in tackling corruption is to blaminfg it on the prevoius administrations.The nations anti-corruption commission has being turned into political hunt dog. Lastly,in the education sector it has being bussiness as usual.The recently releasef NECO result shows no improvement,it even got worse. The FG has taken the administration of tertiary schools with levty making it difficult for these institutions to produce world class graduates. The foundation of the Nigerian education sector is derisory. From the primary level through the university level is an eye sore. THE UGLY:What else will take this part other than state of security of the nation.It has being this administration greatest challenge and they have failed woefully. One of my friend recently told me that the fear of BokoHaram is the beginnning of failure,this admininstration is afraid of the radical islamic sect.In the eastern part of the nation,kidnapping his the order of the day. My prayer is that the administration will get it right soon. Opeoluwa from UNAAB

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