Time for video technology after Copa blunder: Klinsmann

Seattle (AFP) – United States coach Jurgen Klinsmann called on football authorities to introduce video technology on Monday after Brazil’s controversial exit from the Copa America Centenario due to a blatant handball goal. The German World Cup winner said the use of instant replay technology was long overdue and had left football decades behind sports such as basketball and American football which had already embraced it. “Absolutely we should have it,” said Klinsmann, a day after Raul Ruidiaz used an arm to score the winning goal in Peru’s 1-0 victory over Brazil that left the five-time world champions facing an

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The German World Cup winner said the use of instant replay technology was long overdue and had left football decades behind sports such as basketball and American football which had already embraced it.

“Absolutely we should have it,” said Klinsmann, a day after Raul Ruidiaz used an arm to score the winning goal in Peru’s 1-0 victory over Brazil that left the five-time world champions facing an early flight home.

“For big decisions, like last night with the handball, you want to be able to know was it a handball or wasn’t it a handball, was it a penalty, yes or no?” Klinsmann said during a Facebook question and answer session.

“Why not take those extra 10 or 15 seconds with the fourth official on the sideline, he can watch the replay really quick and make a decision — yes it was a penalty, no it wasn’t, yes it was a goal, no it wasn’t.

“We do that with goal-line technology already but the same should be done for big decisions about a penalty or a goal scored by a handball, stuff like that.

“I think we’re 20 years behind sports like the NBA and NFL. Let’s give the referees all the help they can get to make the right decision.

“You don’t want matches decided by wrong calls from referees,” he said.

The International Football Association Board (IFAB), which governs the rules of the game, approved in March the testing of technology to help match officials.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino said the technology could be ready for use in the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

The IFAB-sanctioned trials will allow referees to call on video assistance to help determine four categories of game-changing moments — goals scored, red cards, penalties and mistaken identity.

In the experiments, a video assistant referee will have access to video replays during matches and will either review an incident on request or communicate with the referee proactively about an incident that may have been missed by the officials on the field of play.

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