FIFA PC Technology for Own Goals

Well, this is an interesting cross from the left field. 'FIFA plan pc-solution to own goal dilemma' mentions that FIFA will be using some technology to determine credit for goals - including own goals. It's not really a riveting use of technology in that it's pretty simple - it's just done in real time. They download the video to laptops, and decide:

...Holger Osieck, the head of FIFA's technical study group, told reporters on Thursday that for the first time all 13 members would see detailed technical images of any dubious goals downloaded to their laptops.

A verdict from the group would then be made as soon as possible.

"Previous tournaments have been dotted with decisions about what constitutes an own goal which appeared to lack clear guidelines," he told a news conference.

"On the basis of fairness and positive approach the benefit of the doubt should always be given to the attacker."

Andy Roxburgh, UEFA's technical director and a member of the FIFA technical group added: "No matter where a member is in Germany, he will get images of the goal on his laptop and the decision will be made by the whole group as soon as possible.

"If a goal has been awarded wrongly, the decision will be rectified by the next day at the latest."...

All things being equal, this could be quite helpful. The article also has the guidelines for own goals:

...FIFA clarified new regulations on own goals in 1997 and Roxburgh added: "There are three clear guidelines on what constitutes an own goal -- or who should be credited as the official goalscorer.

"If a goal-bound shot accidentally bounces off a team mate into the opponent's goal, the goal will be awarded to the player who struck the ball toward the target in the first place.

"If a goal bound shot is intentionally re-directed into an opponent's net, the goal will be credited to the player whose action produced the change of direction.

"If a shot is going wide and is then deflected or re-directed into the opponent's goal by a team mate or an opponent then this player will be credited with the goal...

As they point out, own goals can be a life and death matter... don't forget Andres Escobar of Colombia, who scored an own goal against the United States in 1994. He got a bad case of dead when he got home. Will the technology help with that?

Of course not. That's a human problem.