Soccer saga makes the case for instant replay

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By Sean McClelland, Staff Writer Updated 12:46 AM Sunday, November 22, 2009

Given my ancestry, it occurred to me to get worked into a lather about Ireland being kept out of the World Cup because a French player touched a soccer ball with his hand a second before the decisive goal.

Instead, I just kind of laughed, especially when Ireland actually filed a protest seeking to have the match replayed, a request that was shot down Friday almost as soon as it hit the appropriate FIFA official’s desk.

I appreciate soccer in small doses, so spare me the “you just hate soccer” e-mails and also the ones about sportsmanship. Despite the baffling cries of “cheater” from the player’s own country, this was an officiating goof and nothing more, and replaying the match only would have compounded the travesty (although it probably would have attracted more viewers than usual).

Consider it a case of the “human element” striking again. Replay the match? How about a do-over of the 1987 AFC championship game when the Denver Broncos’ game-winning field goal against the Browns was ruled good when it (probably) wasn’t.

Or maybe we should go back to 1985 when a blown call at first base helped cost the St. Louis Cardinals the World Series.

One saving grace is that a soccer controversy has erupted from something taking place on the field rather than a riot in the stands stemming from drunken nationalism run amok.

Bottom line: If ever a case existed for the use of instant replay to get calls right, this is it.

Funny ... on so many levels.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2408 or smcclelland@DaytonDailyNews.com.

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