Editorial

Henry's Law - Time To Introduce Tennis Challenge System In Football?

Following Thierry Henry's hugely controversial handball that led to Ireland's World Cup elimination tonight, Carlo Garganese asks whether it is now time to introduce some form of video technology, and he has a solution…

Nov 19, 2009 12:30:19 AM

Photo Gallery

Zoom

Thierry Henry (France vs Ireland)

Teams

Please note part of the editorial below was published in 2008

For a long time I have been very much against calls for the introduction of video technology and, to an extent, I still very much am. Part of the beauty of football is that it is so unpredictable, and so by replacing referees with computers, we are removing the human error that makes the game so exciting.

With football already becoming more of a business than a sport, this would be yet another blow to the traditionalists who are seeing all the age-old values, instilled by the founding fathers, slowly disappear. There is also the issue that technology would seriously disrupt the flow of the game.

However, Thierry Henry’s scandalous handball in extra time for France against Ireland tonight that led to William Gallas heading home the equaliser that undeservedly took Les Bleus to the World Cup, got me thinking…

I am sure I am not the first to propose this solution, but how about football introduces a tennis-style challenge system? Each team are allowed to challenge three refereeing calls per game. If they make an incorrect dispute, they lose a challenge, but if they are correct, their number of challenges remain as they are.

This system has been a huge success since it was introduced to tennis, and it has had no real adverse effect on slowing down the game. To ensure this is not the case in football, perhaps a maximum of two challenges would be sensible.

When the challenge is made, the referee or fourth official is notified, a call is made to a fifth official, who has a television in front of him, the correct decision is taken, and 15 seconds later the game resumes again.

So what calls would coaches or captains be allowed to challenge? This is where things get tricky, and it is perhaps where you readers can offer your suggestions.

I would propose that you can only challenge a referee for what he awarded, rather than what he didn’t award. For example a team can argue AGAINST a penalty, an offside or over-the-line goal, or a red card, but they cannot demand that the referee award a penalty, or send a player off.

Only the big decisions are allowed to be challenged. These would include penalties, offsides and infringements that led to goals (like Henry's), and over-the-line goals, but not free kicks, corners, throw-ins, and other less major infringements.

Much more analysis is required than what I have provided here, but the original, simple idea, from which to build upon, is there, and that is that a tennis-style challenging system may actually benefit football.

It would partly put to an end the accusations that the most powerful men (like those in FIFA) are running the game, while it would also stop the complaints that the smaller teams (like Ireland) are the ones who are always penalised.

Most importantly, the formula that each team are only allowed two or three challenges a match would not destroy the flow or the traditions of the game, aspects which simply must be retained to keep the sport beautiful.

What is clear is it is unfair that a team like Ireland, who have sweated their guts out for 18 months and played the perfect 210 minutes against France, deserving to go through, are denied a spot at the World Cup in such unjust circumstances. And it is not the first time that Giovanni Trapattoni has been 'cheated' out of the World Cup...

What are your views on this topic? What did you think of tonight's game and Henry's handball? Is a tennis-challenge system the way forward? Goal.com wants to know what YOU think..

Carlo Garganese, Goal.com

Thank you for your comment!

Please enter your name

Please enter your location

Please share your comment!