How Feasible is Officiating Technology in Football?

Technology in football has been debated by pundits, players and fans all over the world for the past decade. FIFA has recently commissioned the use of ‘Hawk-Eye’ and ‘Goal Ref’ goal line technology systems at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. This paper gives an in depth evaluation of the possible technologies that could be used in football and determines the potential benefits and implications these systems could have on the officiating of football matches. The use of technology in other sports is analyzed to come to a conclusion as to whether officiating technology should be used in football. Will football be damaged by the loss of controversial incidents such as Frank Lampard’s goal against Germany at the 2010 World Cup? Will cost, accuracy and speed continue to prevent the use of officiating technology in football? Time will tell, but for now, any advancement in the use of technology in football will be met by some with discontent, whilst others see it as moving the sport into the 21 century.