The Goal Line Technology

Last week the Premier League launched its new Hawk-Eye system, by installing it in all 20 Premier League grounds. It’s a historic moment: a game-changing shift in the way the laws are applied, and the first significant intervention of technology in football. It’s been a bit over due but what is important is to see how it does this season which would determine its future outcome. If you look back in history there have been a lot of controversial goals. Sometimes one decision went on to change the outcome of the match.
Let us look at few of these ‘ghost goals’ that changed the history of football :

Geoff Hurst, England v West Germany, 1966
The most famous one was the 1966 World Cup final when Hurst’s shot hit the crossbar and bounced down.Referee Gottfried Dienst consulted his assistant Tofik Bahramov, who gave it. England led 3-2 and went on to win 4-2.

Frank Lampard, England v Germany, 2010
England were trailing Germany 2-1 in the last 16 of the World Cup in South Africa when the Chelsea man unleashed a shot that hit the underside of the crossbar and clearly bounced down over the line, but it was not given and Germany went on to win 4-1.

Louis Garcia - Liverpool vs Chelsea 2005
In the 2005 Champions League semi final clash between Liverpool and Chelsea, Liverpool won the tie courtesy a lone goal by Louis Garcia. One man who was certain that the ball had crossed the line was the then Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho. Though the goal is still debatable but a lot was written then whether goal ine technology should be introduced in football.

Andy Carrol - Liverpool vs Chelsea 2012
A few years later in 2012 both these team battled it out in the League Cup final. This time though Liverpool were unlucky as the match officials disallowed an Andy Carrol goal saying that it didn’t cross the line. Replays however showed a different picture. Chelsea went on to win the League Cup 2-1.

Though the use of technology in Cricket and Lawn Tennis has produced mixed results, what is important is that it is still evolving. Till then though it would reduce the outcome of matches being decided by the ghost goal,  if not eliminate them completely.