None, because they don't encroach. I have yet to see any evidence of the claims that players scuff out the line and stand where they want.

I personally would like to see the goal line scrapped now we have goal line technology. It would add to the suspense when the goal line technology comes up on the screen with players and crowd not having a clear idea if its a goal or not.

Brilliant idea but why stop at removing the goal line.

Why not remove the goal-posts completely; Hawkeye can work out whether it’s goal or not, quite easily.

Hawkeye takes its references from the points where the two goal-posts enter the ground. The goal-posts and crossbar get in its way if anything.

Hawkeye would adjudicate out whether the ball has passed through the ‘invisible cyber goal-mouth’ or not.

No more jammy goals from lucky rebounds; no more injuries from players colliding with the posts; no more goal-keepers pointlessly clanking the soles of their boots against the uprights in a futile attempt to clear the mud; (the goalies would have to be provided with a little wire brush, or something similar, I guess.)

Every shot, header, free-kick or penalty ,that wasn’t saved by the goal-keeper, would be left for ‘Hawkeye’ to adjudge ‘Goal!’ or ‘NO Goal!’. Think of the crowd tension, the drama.

Hawkeyes verdict could even be ‘deliberately delayed’ to hype up the crowd;..... like they do on X-Factor.

It’s the way forward.

These why don't we scrap threads are missing the point. Only 6/12 games after the group stage have been completed in the regulation 90 minutes. All the others have gone to extra time and 3/6 have gone to penalties.

So what needs scrapping is the 90 minutes of regulation play. Let's go straight to extra time as normal time; teams would be fresher and fitter and in better condition to take penalties.

I know some will argue we should go straight to penalties and I can see the merit of that argument; I just think a gradualist position is more likely to find favour with the majority.

Of course the really big advantage is it will reduce the amount of good advertising time being taken up with lengthy periods of play which too often fail to produce results - currently a lose lose situation. - and this might help the game really take off in the US.

Pah! Hawkeye? Didn't need such fancy-dan technology when we wuz kids using jumpers for goalposts.

I love this thread

Why don't we just do away with the ball and replace it with Hawkeye technology? There could be a Wii-type sensor on the centre spot - thereafter Hawkeye could calculate the position of the flight and trajectory of the virtual ball throughout the game, using sensors worn by the players.

In fact, we could do away with the players (probably no argument from England supporters there) - they could use Wii technology at home, without even turning up at the match. Good for the environment and for the safety of the players, and no more Neymar-type tragedies.

if you're doing away with the centre circle you may as well start with a drop ball at every kick off.

I am not rigidly in favour of my own proposition and find much merit in this proposal. If I might suggest a rather minor amendment: could we not stipulate penalty shoot outs will be taken by the actual players, as in the past? We could keep them all on standby in a big brother-type house: this would provide much needed alternative coverage of the world cup during those difficult times, such as now, when there is no match being played. Multilingual No Biting signs will be prominently displayed.
Last edited by NiteOwl12 : 07-07-2014 at 07:35

I've had a long think about that idea. The only downside is that the Great British Public would start an upcry about players sitting about in a house - especially on their wages. Perhaps the house could have a football pitch in the yard outside, with centre circle, goalposts and everything. They could be set tasks, like playing a match, say.

Great idea, although I'm not sure about the centre circle ...

Well, if we're going to do that, we may as well get rid of the goal line too. Let Hawkeye work it out.

I think we should scrap Hawkeye and let Paul Hawksbee decide every decision.

The fourth official should definitely be scrapped...they have to put up with far too much abuse from the coaching staff of both teams because of the referee and linesman's mistakes.

After years of intransigence FIFA and UEFA have completely embraced the concept of new technology; i.e. goal-line, retrospective video, shaving foam etc.

To appease the ‘Referees Associations’ regarding the constant abuse aimed at 4th officials , FIFA plan to remove them and ‘trial’ this new technology early next season.

http://postimg.org/image/bldgb8q2d/

I think they should replace the 4th official with a trained Samaritan. Obviously such chats should be in confidence, so the Samaritan should wear a balaclava.

Brilliant idea; but how about a motorcyclists crash-helmet in case things turn nasty......anonymity AND protection.