Football's relationship with new technology has always been an uneasy one. There has always been a fear that embracing new technology will change the character of the game. But the conservative resistance of the game's authorities (reflecting that of the wider football community) is starting to break down.
In the past one of the most transformative technologies has been floodlighting. Experiments were carried out in the 19th century before the arrival of electricity, but not surprisingly what amounted to giant flares or using batteries and dynamos were not very successful.
When floodlighting eventually arrived, it was treated as something of a novelty with special 'floodlight' competitions. During the 1930s Herbert Chapman at Arsenal decided to install permanent lights at Highbury. The Football League, in its infinite wisdom, refused to sanction their use, though, so only friendly and unofficial games were played using the newly installed lights.
It took until the 1950s for the FA to change its mind. Even then it wasn’t because the powers that be realised how useful the technology would be, but rather they were being used so commonly in friendly games that they realised they had no choice but to relent. The first international game was played under floodlights in 1955.
Floodlights not only made it possible to have later kick offs for winter games, it also facilitated the widespread introduction of evening games. The powerful floodlights in use today are necessary for televising games (of itself boosted by another technological innovation, satellite broadcasting).
Football was prepared to use technology to determine whether the ball had crossed the line after it had been deployed in other sports such as tennis. Now Fifa is poised to permit the use of video assistant referees (VARs). A competitive trial is due to take place on Monday when Brighton and Hove Albion play Crystal Palace in the FA Cup. The schedule for Fifa decision making could permit the use of VARs in the World Cup and in the Premier League next year.
When I watch Premier League matches, I am struck by the inconsistency of decisions about penalties, particularly in relation to handball. Some penalties are given which should not be and some which should are waved away. VARs would also help referees in relation to bad tackles, offside decisions and diving. Bad tackles are often given a red, while others which just merit a yellow see the player sent off. Offside decisions are often very marginal, but goals are chalked off which shouldn't be or vice versa.
There are still big decisions about technology to be made. Artificial pitches have improved beyond recognition from their earlier versions and no longer inflict injuries on players. However, they are only allowed in the non-league system and any club that gets promoted with such a pitch has to replace it with a natural one, or be demoted one division. The concern here, of course, is that clubs that play regularly at home on such pitches might be given an unfair advantage.
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