World Cup is being ruined by poor use of technology

I was closely involved with Hawkeye in the development of goal-line technology. It was in this capacity that I quickly learnt that camera angles viewing the ball crossing the goal-line could easily distort fact from fiction.

So for Japan’s winning goal last night, looking at the images of the ball crossing the goal-line and appearing to go out of play with a camera angle in a favourable position left me in no doubt that Ao Tanaka’s 51st-minute strike would be ruled out.

To the amazement of everyone watching through the eyes of the television camera, Var informed referee Victor Gomes that he could allow the goal to stand.

I firmly believe that the goal, on the basis of the images that the Var was likely to have seen, should have been ruled out, because in my view the ball was out of play.

Overhead images of the incident appeared online last night but I doubt these would have been seen by Var.

And it is worth pointing out that the goal-line technology works only between the goalposts, not from the goalpost to the corner flag.

Sadly we are witnessing the World Cup being ruined by Var, which is taking centre stage rather than allowing us to watch and enjoy the skill sets of world-class players.

On Wednesday, in the Tunisia versus France game, a good goal scored by France’s Antoine Griezmann was ruled out following Var intervention. Referee Matthew Conger was asked to go to the monitor and view the incident and he indicated offside.

I totally disagree with that decision. Griezmann was in an offside position in the first phase but moved onside in the second phase. A defender then jumped for the ball and his header went to Griezmann, who scored. The referee was asked to look at the monitor. Why? He should have overruled Var.

I am a strong supporter of the use of technology but sadly this World Cup is being ruined by poor application. I think we have reached the point where we have to ask whether Var should be binned.