Having watched some recent international friendlies in the build-up to EURO 2012 (Note: these are FIFA-sanctioned matches, which means there are no EARs deployed) there is perhaps one scenario where EARs may be useful. Take a look at the following examples from three matches:
MATCH 1: Norway vs England on 26 May 2012. The match finished 0—1.
In the 49' with England leading 1—0, England (dark blue) take a shot on goal. Here are the freeze frames:
On first look, it appears the England shot had struck another England player (dark blue) who is standing in an offside position. As a result, an incorrect decision was made by the AR by calling offside.
However, here is the incident from another camera angle (which is also an approximation of the view that an EAR would have):
Here, an EAR would have clearly seen the ball touch a Norway player (red) and the correct decision would have been a corner kick to England (dark blue).
MATCH 2: Switzerland vs Germany on 26 May 2012. The match finished 5—3.
In the 50' with Switzerland leading 2—1, Switzerland (red) cross the ball into the box and the ball is headed into the German (green) goal. But who scored? Here are the freeze frames:
On first look, it appears the Swiss player (red 18) who was in an offside position did not touch the ball. As a result, an incorrect decision was made by the AR to allow the goal to stand, since the Swiss player (red) standing in an offside position was apparently not interfering with play.
This is what the AR sees:
However, here is the incident from another camera angle behind the goal line (which is also an approximation of the view from an EAR, who would presumably be positioned behind the goal line and closer to the action compared with the AR who is standing on the touch line):
This camera angle shows that the ball's direction changes because the Swiss player (red 18), standing in an offside position, makes contact with the ball.
These two similar scenarios (from match 1 and match 2), where there is an attacking player in an offside position during a shot on goal, is an area where perhaps the EAR can best provide assistance to the match Referee. ARs have a difficult job to do this, so having an extra match official standing next to the goal and behind the goal line is a better solution for such incidents. Teamwork would count for a lot here.
This is the only scenario that I have observed (and can presently think of) where EARs may actually help benefit the performance of the match Referee (by helping to make the correct decision). It is a scenario that the instigators (i.e. UEFA, FIFA and IFAB) of this system never initially imagined or acknowledged.
Remember, they purposely stated that the original thinking behind the implementation of EARs was to:
1) promote better decision making on suspected fouls in the penalty area; and
2) have a deterrent effect, as players will be aware that they are being closely watched.
Later on, it became apparent that EARs would also help out by:
3) assisting the match Referee in confirming whether the whole of the ball crosses the goal line under the crossbar and between the goal posts.
Nevertheless, the authorities never mentioned or imagined EARs helping out with anything like the above scenarios that this post has presented (i.e. assisting the match Referee in better decision-making by helping to identify the last player to have touched the ball before either a goal is scored, the ball goes out of play or whether a player known to be in an offside position has interfered with play).
MATCH 3: Netherlands vs Bulgaria on 26 May 2012. The match finished 1—2.
In the 49' with the Netherlands (red) leading 1—0, a Bulgaria (white) player crosses the ball along the ground in the penalty area and the ball hits a Dutch player (Rafael van der Vaart). The Referee is positioned on the other side of the penalty area and does not have a good close view. However, after a long pause the Referee whistles for handball and awards a penalty. Could the AR have assisted the Referee in this incident? Here are the freeze frames:
The Referee whistles for handball against the Netherlands (red) and awards a penalty to Bulgaria (white)
To add further insult, the Referee cautions van der Vaart
Was this really a cautionable offence?
However, here is the incident from another camera angle behind the goal line (which is also an approximation of the view an EAR would have had):
Where does the ball make contact with van der Vaart? His torso or his arm?
This may have been the EAR's view (an approximation)
Once again, perhaps an EAR standing behind the goal line would have been better able to assist the Referee (compared with the AR). It is debatable whether there was actual handball, and if it was handball whether it was deliberate. An EAR positioned behind the goal line would have been in the best position to determine whether the ball struck van der Vaart's torso rather than his trailing arm. Where does the ball make contact with van der Vaart? His torso or his arm?
SUMMARY
There is perhaps one scenario where EARs may prove helpful to the decision-making of the match Referee. That is, in assisting the match Referee in better decision-making by helping to identify the last player to have touched the ball before either a goal is scored, the ball goes out of play or whether a player known to be in an offside position has interfered with play.
But is this enough to justify the 'usefulness' and 'effectiveness' of EARs?
Are EARs the extra eyes needed in football?”
Furthermore, as soon as goal line technology is introduced and as soon as EARs are discarded, it is a certainty (i.e. guaranteed) that whenever controversial incidents involving the above scenarios arise, they will become prominent—and overhyped by the media—because no match official will be able to be in the optimum position to make the correct call (during such scenarios as described above).
As an aside, the performance of EARs at EURO 2012 will be interesting to observe. Obviously, most observers will be focused on the performance of the match Referees but the Referee's assistants all contribute to that overall team performance which is why their effectiveness is important too. Here's wishing everyone an entertaining, enjoyable and educational experience at EURO 2012!!!
* Coincidence. All three of the above incidents during international friendlies all occurred within a minute of each other (i.e. during the 49th and 50th minute). Uncanny!
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