By Andrew Warshaw
June 16 – The clamour for goalline technology to be introduced at the World Cup left FIFA with little option and has been widely supported. Yet the first time it was used, it caused huge controversy during France’s 3-0 win over 10-man Honduras.
The central Americans’ coach Luis Suarez was left confused in the 48th minute when the two giant stadium video screens proclaimed ‘No goal’ when reviewing Karim Benzema’s initial shot that hit the post.
Moments later it then flashed ‘Goal’, ruling the ball had in fact crossed the line by millimetres after Honduras goalkeeper Valladares inadvertently knocked it back across, giving France a 2-0 lead much to the fury of the Hondurans: “The machine first said no [goal]. I do not know what to think,” Suarez said.
The goal was awarded as an own-goal by the Honduran keeper.
Every stadium in Brazil is equipped with German Goalcontrol’s 14 high-speed cameras and the referee wears a special watch that transmits a visual and audio message within half a second of the incident.
Although it was ultimately the correct call, Suarez was still bemused. “If the technology sends a clear message, then I don’t understand how the system can say it’s a goal first and then: ‘No goal.’ What is the truth?” added Suarez, who exchanged words with opposite number Didier Deschamps on the touchline.
The goal-line confusion was not the only technological issue. Problems with the public address system meant neither national anthems could be played before the game.
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