Rule changes that could benefit the game
Football is easily the most popular sport in the world. Millions of people tune in on a daily basis to witness some match or the other. Even though it has such a fan following, it doesn’t mean there isn’t any room for improvement. If some changes are brought into the game, it could further enhance the impact the sport has. Here is a look at some changes that could make the game even faster, free flowing and much more exciting to watch as a whole.
Firstly the modern day referee needs to be stricter. Ever since the sport has evolved and has turned into what we now call the modern form of football, the referee’s have started to become pushovers. Back in the 80’s and 90’s, no player would even dream about arguing with the referee because he knew that the official’s word was final. It’s not the case. Most players take it as a personal mission to find ways to prove the referee wrong. Players even posses the power to overturn a referee’s decision later on after the conclusion of a game. For instance, if a player was red carded, he is automatically forced to miss the next game. However, he can now hold a hearing with the football board and have his red card over turned.
Such occurrences have caused the game to lose some of its spark and excitement. If the players can always end up overturning decisions, then what was the point in making them in the first place? Another thing that players like to do these days is argue with the referee on the pitch. They go up to the referee and give him a piece of their mind if they aren’t happy with a decision. Players shouldn’t have the authority to confront the referees. If a team feels that a decision was incorrect, then the team captain should be the only player who has the right to talk or discuss the decision with the referee on the pitch.
Another major tool that is missing from football and has always been missing is the use of technology. Everyone saw Frank Lampard’s goal not be given in favour of England during the FIFA World Cup 2010. Such an event could have been completely avoided had the use of technology been implemented into the game. There were arguments that said that the use of technology would dramatically slow the game down and kill the free flowing nature of the sport that it is well known for. However the inventor of the ‘Hawk-Eye’ Paul Hawkins has said that he has successfully devised a system to review a decision within thirty seconds and transmit the information directly to the referees’ ear piece. It is now up to FIFA to decide whether or not such a tool could benefit the game in the long run.
Lastly, FIFA needs to regulate and keep a check on the quality of teams that are participating in the top leagues around Europe. Xerez is a team that currently plays in the Spanish La Liga. Last season, Xerez managed to score less points as compared to the number of games that the team player. Such a team would be easy pickings and easy points for teams like Real Madrid and Barcelona. The question that needs to be asked here is that do such teams even deserve to play at such a high level?
Obviously the final decision is with FIFA, but most experts believe that teams that perform so poorly shouldn’t be allowed to participate in the top flight of football.
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