These extra officials next to the goals...

[aaron bond]

Just exactly what is their purpose? They stand with a pole that looks like a linesman's flag without the flag and don't do anything. Are they there just to confirm the ball crosses the line and nothing else?

Furthermore, why are they stood on the same side of the pitch as the linesman? Surely, it would be better to have them on the other side of the goal to the linesman in that half of the pitch. I noticed this last night. If they were on the other side of the goal to the linesman, then last night one of them would have been right next to where Silva was taken out by Boateng. Although saying that, he was well placed to see Boateng take out Micah - not that he did or would do anything.

[Blue Blood]

They are meant to aid the ref and linesman in making the correct decisions.

In reality I have never seen one do anything... ever.

Waste of time, just another fifa excuse to dodge goal line technology!

[freshie]

They are meant to aid the ref and linesman in making the correct decisions.

In reality I have never seen one do anything... ever.

[highlight]Waste of time, just another fifa excuse to dodge goal line technology![/highlight]

Exactly. FIFA are a bunch of idiots

[Beefymcfc]

They are meant to aid the ref and linesman in making the correct decisions.

In reality I have never seen one do anything... ever.

[highlight]Waste of time, just another fifa excuse to dodge goal line technology![/highlight]

Exactly. FIFA are a bunch of idiots

But why are they trying to dodge it, is it a control thing or a fix thing?

Anyway, waste of oxygen. I've not seen one of them give a decision yet, either way.

[Blue Blood]

They are meant to aid the ref and linesman in making the correct decisions.

In reality I have never seen one do anything... ever.

[highlight]Waste of time, just another fifa excuse to dodge goal line technology![/highlight]

Exactly. FIFA are a bunch of idiots

But why are they trying to dodge it, is it a control thing or a fix thing?

Anyway, waste of oxygen. I've not seen one of them give a decision yet, either way.

My opinion, it's a fix thing.

Fifa are outrageously corrupt. There are times when you know a ref just isn't going to give anything to a team and it's not because he hasn't seen it.

Controversial opinion but it still happens.

[irblinx]

I did actually see one make a very good decision in one of the first round of CL group games, can't remember the details but remember commenting on it at the time. I seem to remember someone on here saying that their sticks have a transmitter that bleeps in the refs ear or something to get his attention so we wouldn't necessarily see them intervening.

Overall though they don't seem to add much and I've seen plenty of dodgy decisions made right under their noses

[southaustralianblue]

Missed two pens and an offside goal so you'd have to say no point at all to them

[Plain Speaking]

Apparently FIFA have a concept that whatever technology is used should be available at all levels. Unlike say rugby union and cricket where in the top leagues and at international level they allow video technology to help the referees get the correct decision. FIFA seem worried about creating "two tier" football.
The OP makes some good points the"extra officials" seem almost useless in practice.
IMO Football is still in the dark ages, I am certainly in favour of video technology.

[aaron bond]

Apparently FIFA have a concept that whatever technology is used should be available at all levels. Unlike say rugby union and cricket where in the top leagues and at international level they allow video technology to help the referees get the correct decision. FIFA seem worried about creating "two tier" football.
The OP makes some good points the"extra officials" seem almost useless in practice.
IMO Football is still in the dark ages, I am certainly in favour of video technology.

Fifa may think that having 5 officials is something that can be used at all levels but I know for a fact that your average Sunday team could not afford to pay for 5 officials every week!!!

[Plain Speaking]

Apparently FIFA have a concept that whatever technology is used should be available at all levels. Unlike say rugby union and cricket where in the top leagues and at international level they allow video technology to help the referees get the correct decision. FIFA seem worried about creating "two tier" football.
The OP makes some good points the"extra officials" seem almost useless in practice.
IMO Football is still in the dark ages, I am certainly in favour of video technology.

Fifa may think that having 5 officials is something that can be used at all levels but I know for a fact that your average Sunday team could not afford to pay for 5 officials every week!!!

FIFA see it more for places like Africa, Central/ South America where they cannot necessarily afford technology but could in theory put more officials on for a particular match.

[Beefymcfc]

Apparently FIFA have a concept that whatever technology is used should be available at all levels. Unlike say rugby union and cricket where in the top leagues and at international level they allow video technology to help the referees get the correct decision. FIFA seem worried about creating "two tier" football.
The OP makes some good points the"extra officials" seem almost useless in practice.
IMO Football is still in the dark ages, I am certainly in favour of video technology.

Fifa may think that having 5 officials is something that can be used at all levels but I know for a fact that your average Sunday team could not afford to pay for 5 officials every week!!!

You never have 5 officials, nor 3, and even lucky if the ref turns up.