FIFA fossil Blatter needs to be buried

The world's largest deposit of dinosaur fossils is found just outside Drumheller, Alta. I'm guessing Sepp Blatter knows this already, and if he doesn't he should pick up the phone and reserve a plot for himself. It is, after all, where dinosaurs go to die.

Blatter, who as FIFA president treats the realm of international soccer as his own private fiefdom, was directly involved in both of Sunday's World Cup results, despite the fact that he never touched the pitch or kicked a ball. No, his involvement was a philosophical one -- a steadfast opposition to video replay technology that ended up costing England a goal against Germany and allowed an Argentinean goal against Mexico that should never have stood. In neither instance was the right call made; in neither match could the victors feel fully satisfied.

Germany, who will now face Argentina in the quarter-finals, led England 2-1 when Frank Lampard's strike from distance hit the crossbar before crossing the line, and Argentina and Mexico had yet to open the scoring when Carlos Tevez notched a goal that was clearly offside. Granted, both Germany and Argentina deserved to advance, but at least some of their dominance must be credited to the bungled calls that so obviously deflated their opponents.

So what happens now? Probably nothing. Although video replay technology exists and could easily be implemented in soccer, Blatter continues to oppose it on the grounds that it would dehumanize the sport. His colleague, UEFA president Michel Platini, is in complete agreement, and has said that video referees would destroy football.

Really? And botched decisions at the World Cup won't destroy football?

It's an outdated argument. The fact is, everyone who watches a soccer match in person or on television has instant access to accurate video replay, the speed and focus of which is getting better all the time. Fans can identify an incorrect call within seconds -- less than the time the players spend complaining to the officials.

Here's the thing. When fans believe they're a step or two ahead of the officials -- when they know they have more tools at their disposal than the professionals making the calls -- they lose interest; they become disgusted and cynical. And who can blame them? It's a matter of credibility. And when that's gone, the sport ---- even an event as massive as the World Cup -- doesn't mean anything.

Thankfully, it's an easy problem to fix. It's easy because the technology exists and could be implemented quickly. It could be as simple as putting a guy in a box with a headset and access to the replays everyone else is seeing. He sees a missed or incorrect call inside the 18-yard-box; he notifies the match officials, who already have headsets. Done. No bickering between players and referees, no doubt as to the legitimacy of the decision. If anything, it would save time and improve flow.

Of course, FIFA should have had this or a similar version of instant replay at the ready ahead of this World Cup. They were served a timely warning when Thierry Henry's November handball put France into the competition at Ireland's expense. They had seven months to put something in place. And they did nothing. The World Cup has been tarnished as a result, and it could happen again. Imagine if it happened in the final?

None of this is news to Blatter and Platini. They're simply walking out of step with pretty much everyone else in professional sports. They're ignoring realities. But here's the good news. It's only a matter of time before video replay technology is available at every major soccer match in every major league and tournament.

It's a matter of time because, unlike their predecessors, the generation that eventually controls FIFA and UEFA will have experienced disgust at Maradona's Hand of God goal, exasperation at Henry's hand-pass and frustration at the Lampard and Tevez calls that were missed Sunday.

By then, Blatter and Platini will be long gone, they and their kind extinct like any other dinosaur.

jerradpeters@gmail.com

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition June 28, 2010 C6