By Gerald Goh

How many more matches must be sacrificed on the altar of the ‘spirit of the game?’ FIFA’s anachronistic logic in refusing the introduction of video replay technology or even sanctioning extra touchline officials in the name of preserving the ‘flow’ of the game is dangerously close to making football a global farce of a game.

Theirry Henry’s blatant evasion of the truth in claiming an accidental handball (video footage clearly shows that his second handball was the result of a deliberate flick onto the outside of his right foot) only shows up the old adage of ‘do what you want, but don’t get caught’.

With the increasing tempo at which club and international matches are played, the men in black are increasingly called upon to make snap judgments at breakneck speed, and often, with disastrous results.

Referees are only human, and like their playing counterparts on the field, wholly susceptible to howlers (Darren Bent’s “My-missus-could-have-scored-that” effort over the bar notwithstanding). FIFA had better step up to the plate, swallow their pride and help the referees, lest fans worldwide be condemned to watching and sweating on the results of match on the throw of the dice.