Confederations Conspiracy… by Andrew Walker

Controversy is brewing at the otherwise rather tepid affair that is the Confederations Cup.

With the Brazil-Egypt clash locked at 3-3 going into the 90th minute, an Egyptian defender cleared a goal-bound header off the line with his arm. As the defender in question writhed around holding his head – in an attempt to disguise his misdemeanour – English referee Howard Webb signalled for a corner.

During the ensuing melee, Webb appeared to receive instruction from the touchline via his earpiece, and changed his decision to award a penalty and dismiss the Egyptian. The implication being that the 4th official had identified the handball having quickly reviewed the footage on video replay.

The world’s most expensive player (for now), Kaka, coolly stroked home the spot kick to give Brazil a 4-3 victory.

Egypt have subsequently lodged a formal complaint over the manner in which the decision was made – and in a way, they have a right to feel aggrieved since the use of technology has not been formally sanctioned.

However, surely this begs the wider (and eternal) question – why don’t we use technology for these incidents?

The fact is that the correct decision was reached, and in relatively quick time. If the corner had stood, Brazil would have had just cause to feel significantly more aggrieved than the Egyptians.

Of course there are intricacies that would have to be addressed if video technology were introduced, not least the question of under what circumstances it is used. But with the stakes higher than ever in the modern game, and with its adoption so successfully introduced in other sports, surely now is the time for FIFA to get on the case.

However, in an organisation controlled by Sepp Blatter’s ego, we won’t hold our breath.