The Eagle-Eye of Sports

Video Assistant referee (VAR) was introduced to ease the pressure on match officials and take human errors out of the equations when clear and obvious errors have occurred.

The technology has stolen news headlines for the right and wrong reasons since invented. It is yet to be globally accepted but it's already in use in some of the most coveted leagues in Europe.

It was first introduced back in the early 2010s, but the concept took years to gain traction. It was developed under the direction of the Royal Netherlands Football Association (KNVB).

Mock trials started in the 2012/13 season of Eredivisie (Netherland's top league).

The Royal Dutch football Association (KNVB) took a bold step in 2014 to petitioned the International Football Association Board (IFAB) to make changes to football regulations so that 'VAR' can be applied more extensively and after some deliberations IFAB finally approved trials in 2016.

The first live trial took place in July 2016 during a friendly match between FC Eindhoven and PSV, and the next trial came the following month on the other side of the Atlantic with a United Soccer League (USL ) match.

The system was used twice during a match between two MLS reserve sides, which the referee reviewed two fouls by consulting VAR before ultimately deciding to issued a yellow and a red card for the incidents.

Therefore, FIFA officially announced the big VAR news during the FIFA Council meeting held in Bogota on 16th March 2018.

As a result, the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia became the first competition to make used of the system in full, at all venues and matches, and the technology passed its ultimate test successfully at the World Cup.

VAR technology uses a patent of Sony's Hawk-Eye Innovations, the company benefits financially from this invention by charging licensing fees worth $2.2 million per season.

The company holds a 20-year patent and the system is been used in over 20 sports in more than 90 countries.

In 2018, French Survey stated that 86 percents of respondents were in favour of using VAR system during games, 13 percents were against the idea and just one percent did not have an answer.

The International football Association Board (IFAB) studied a total of 927 soccer games that took place internationally in 20 national authorities, and the results showed that 69.1 percents of the games studied did not need VAR replays.

Fascinating Stats about VAR

The cost of using VAR is $6.5 million for a single season.

About 5.5 percents of VAR matches required two or more reviews.

VAR penalty and goals checks account for 

57.4 percents of total VAR intervention.

The average VAR intervention time in a match is 55 seconds.

Man United have enjoyed more benefits of VAR tech, as it has awarded more penalties or goals than it had taken away during this season Premier League.

While Jurgen Klopp's side Liverpool had a huge numbers of penalties or goals taken away during the season. The scenario is also the same for teams like - Arsenal, Chelsea, Man City and Tottenham.

Presently, 37 leagues in the world are using VAR.

Finally the system has come to stay and we are hoping it will get better to improve sports at all levels.

Do you think VAR is ruining football excitements ?

Fabiyi Ridwan

Sports Writer and Analyst

Goal Line Technology

Goal line technology (GLT) is a technical means of instantly determining whether the whole of a ball has crossed the goal line. 

In July 2012, the International Football Association Board (IFAB) officially approved the use of goal line technology, amending the laws of the game to permit its use.

Hawk-Eye was the first company to receive a FIFA Goal Line Technology (GLT) license and is widely considered to be the most accurate. 

The goal line technology was officially used in association football for the first time in the FIFA Club World Cup in Japan 2012.

Following the successful tournament in 2012, FIFA decided to implement the technology at its major tournaments. It was then used in the 2013 FIFA Confederation Cup and 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

The first goal given by the technology was on the 15th of June 2014 in a group stage match between France and Honduras at that year World Cup. 

The first official use of goal-line technology in Europe was in May 2013 at the Copa Amsterdam - a youth tournament played at the Olympic stadium in Amsterdam. 

The GoalRef system was used in all matches to ensure that all goals were indicated correctly and to support the referee with close calls. 

The English Premier League became the first national competition to vote in favor of introducing goal line technology for the 2013/14 season and is currently working on the implementation of the Hawk -Eye system. 

A study suggested that in the 2010/11 Premier  League season, errors took place in nearly 30 percents of the time - which video replays could have prevented (incorrect goal line decisions has decided some important games).

World governing body FIFA made about 300,000 pounds after EPL installed goal line technology in all top-flights stadia.

Ex-FIFA president Sepp Blatter had  opposed the use of goal line technology until Frank Lampard 's disallowed goal in the 2010 World Cup where the ball clearly crossed  the line. 

Failures /Criticism of GLT

Multiple errors in the 2017/18 Coupe de la Ligue 

quarter finals led to the use of the Goal Control System to be temporarily suspended by the Ligue de Football Professional. 

It failed to award Paris Saints Germain (PSG) their second goal against Amiens,  which the video assistant referee overtuned. 

In the match between Angers and Montpellier, the system incorrectly flagged the Referee, causing the match officials to not used it for the second half. 

Recently, the system came under scrutiny in June 2020 in a Premier League match between Aston Villa and Sheffield United as the technology failed to award a goal for Sheffield United despite the fact that Aston Villa goalkeeper Orjan Nyland had clearly carried the ball over the goal line after mishandling a free kick from Sheffield United 's Oliver Norwood. 

Hawk -Eye apologized,  explaining the failure as due to an anomalous amount of occlusion of its cameras' view of the incident. 

How can machine be making errors, and can human correct the errors? 

Fabiyi Ridwan

Sports Writer and Analyst 

The Cadet Championship

The FIFA U-17 World Cup was founded as the FIFA U-16 World Championship, later changed to U-17 in 1991 and to its current name in 2007. It is the world championship of association football for male players under the age of 17 organized by Federation International de Football Association (FIFA).

The first edition was hosted by China in 1985 (35 years ago) and it comes up biennially (every 2 years). The current champion is Brazil, which won its fourth title at the 2019 edition on home soil.

Let's take a look at the tournament statistics from 1985 till date.

Most successful team

Nigeria

5 Titles (1985, 1993, 2007, 2013 and 2015).

3 Silver (runner-up) medal - 1987 in USSR, 2001 in Finland and 2009 in Nigeria.

Brazil

4 Titles (1995, 1997, 1999 and 2019).

All time goalscorer 

Victor Osimhen (Nigeria) - 10 goals

Most matches played: 89 matches (Brazil).

Fewest matches played: 3 matches (14 countries including Sudan, Finland, Togo, Denmark, Algeria e.t.c)

Most wins: 59 matches (Brazil).

Most losses: 32 matches (USA).

Most draws: 14 matches (Argentina).

Most goals conceded: 102 goals (USA).

Most goals scored: 192 goals (Brazil).

Fewest goals conceded: 3 goals (Scotland, Hungary, Togo and Rwanda).

Highest goal difference: +106 (Nigeria).

Lowest goal difference: -69 (New zealand).

Most played final: 2 times - Brazil vs Ghana (1995 & 1997) and Brazil vs Mexico (2005 & 2019).

Most goals scored in one tournament by a team: 27 goals by Nigeria in the 2013 edition. 

Most goals scored by a champion: 27 goals (Nigeria in 2013).

Most goals scored by host: 21 goals by Mexico in 2011.

Fewest goals scored by a champion: 8 goals - Saudi Arabia (1989), Ghana (1991) and Brazil (1999).

Most goals scored in a single game:

Spain 13 - 0 New Zealand (in Egypt 1997).

Most goals scored in a single tournament: 172 goals (2013 edition).

The 18th edition comes up next, watch out!

Fabiyi Ridwan

Sports Writer and Analyst

Nigerian Super Eagles Team of the Decade (2010 - 2019 )

In this decade, the Super Eagles missed out of 2 editions of the Africa Nations Cup (AFCON) in 2015 and 2017 respectively.

In 2013, the late Stephen Keshi led Nigeria to win the AFCON title in South Africa against all hurdles.

And recently in Egypt 2019 AFCON tournament, the Super Eagles marked their return to the biennial tournament with a third place finish ( bronze medal).

Here is the shortlist of Super Eagles players according to their contribution in the 2010s.

Vincent Enyeama 

He was part of the national team from 2002 to October 2015, serving as captain from 2013 until his retirement.

He had 101 caps, 3 FIFA World Cup appearances, and 1 AFCON title.

William Troost Ekong

He made his debut in 2015 (AFCON qualifier vs Chad). He formed a brilliant defensive partnership with Leon Balogun at some point for the Super Eagles.

He won bronze at Afcon 2019 in Egypt, and he also participated at the 2018 FIFA world cup in Russia.

Kenneth Omeruo 

On 9th of January 2013 at the age of 19, he made his Super Eagles debut in a goalless draw vs Cape Verde.

He played in 2014 and 2018 FIFA World Cups in Brazil and Russia respectively.

He won AFCON 2013 title and AFCON 2019 bronze medal.

He also played in the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup.

Efe Ambrose

He was formerly a central defender, he played a key role when Nigeria won the 2013 AFCON in South Africa.

He was also involved in 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup and 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

Elderson Echiejile

He won AFCON title in 2013, and featured in 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.

He was never on the losing side in 18 world cup qualifiers  matches with the Super Eagles with a record 13 wins and 5 draws.

John Obi Mikel

In his 14 years of international career which began in 2005 after starring at the U-20 World Cup in that same year, and was brought to a glittering end in 2019, he played 88 times and scored 6 goals only.

The Ex-Super Eagles captain won the AFCON title in 2013 and a bronze medal in AFCON 2019. He also played in two different editions of the FIFA World Cup (2014 and 2018).

Ogenyi Onazi

He made his debut for the national team in 2012 having represented the nation at U-17 World Cup hosted by Nigeria in 2009.

Injuries and inconsistency shortlive his time with the Super Eagles.

Whenever he is fit, he was a regular starter for the Super Eagles until 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, where he was an unused substitute.

Victor Moses 

He was one of  the super Eagles best players in 2013 Afcon winning Squad and he was named in  Caf's Best X1 of the tournament.

He played in 2014 and 2018 FIFA world cups .

He had 38 appearances for the National team and he scored just 12 goals.

Ahmed Musa

Our current captain is a veteran of two world cups and two AFCON editions respectively.

He has scored 4 world cup goals, 1 AFCON title and 1 bronze title. He is the super Eagles unofficial go-to-guy at FIFA world cups in this decade.

Emmanuel Emenike

He played from 2011 - 2014.

He was the 2013 Afcon topscorer, and he had one Afcon title.

He formed a good striking force with Brown Ideye for Super Eagles.

He retired on 20th of October, 2015.

Odion Ighalo 

He played for our darling national team from 2015 to 2019. He was 2019 Afcon topscorer for the qualifiers and tournament proper with 

7 goals and 5 goals respectively.

After his poor scoring performance, at the 2018 FIFA world cup in Russia, he faces a lot of criticism from football fans.

He called it a day with the super Eagles after winning bronze medal in Egypt 2019 Afcon championship.

Fabiyi Ridwan

Sports Writer and Analyst

The Match that broke the Myth

A Brazilian born Roberto Firmino 99th minute goal broke the jinx for the reds at the 2019 FIFA Club World Cup final in Doha.

For over three decades, South American clubs have been a torn in Liverpool FC flesh when it come to tournament such as this.

In the Intercontinental Cup final that was played in December 1981, Zico led Flamengo side defeated the Liverpool team that had Graeme Souness, Kenny Dalglish and co, and was managed by Bob Paisley.

Zico was the player with the magic in that team as the game was practically sealed after the Brazilian side raced to a 3-nil upfront within 40 minutes of the first-half.

The reason for flamengo's superiority in the game was their quality, as Nunez scored a brace and Adilio's goal put a gloss on the scoreline. 

Liverpool had refused to participate in the Intercontinental Cup after winning the European titles in 1977 & 1978, worried about the potential brutality on the part of the South Americans.

In 1984 an Argentinian side, Independiente beat Liverpool by a lone goal to win the Intercontinental cup. And in 2005, Sao Paulo defeated the merseyside giant in the newly found FIFA Club World Cup.

Now in 2019, the current European club champion got a win that has so far eluded them for decades. After going through 90 minutes of regular football without a goal on either side against the Copa Libertadores champion Flamengo, their Brazilian import scored in the first-half of extra time to claim the title for them. 

The title win is their third trophy in six months and made them the first English club to hold the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup at the same time.

On  the European scene, Liverpool have won 6 UEFA Champions League titles (1977 ,1978, 1981, 1984, 2005, 2019); with only Real Madrid and AC Milan having won more.

Congratulations to the latest World Champion in club football.

Fabiyi Ridwan

Sports Writer and Analyst

The Championship of the Champions

In 2005, the Intercontinental Cup was merged with the FIFA Club World Championship, and it was renamed as FIFA Club World Cup in 2006.

This competition was founded in the year 2000 (19 years ago). 7 teams usually participate in the tournament annually from 6 continents namely - Asia, Africa, North America, South America, Europe and the Oceania region.

Any team that wins her confederation championship is eligible to compete in the FIFA club world cup.

Value of the Competition

The winner of the club world cup receives the trophy, a FIFA world Champions certificate, and 5 million euros while the runner-up receives 4 million euros.

Stats of Competition

Auckland City FC has played the most games - 15 in 9 different editions.

Mohamed Aboutrika, Hossam Ashour and Wael Gomaa (all played for Al-Ahly of Egypt) have the most appearances - 11 games apiece

All-time Top scorer - Cristiano Ronaldo (7 goals)

Most goals scored - 32 goals by Real Madrid

Most Decorated player

Toni kroos has won the the tournament 5 times - 1 title with Bayern Munich (2013) and 4 titles with Real Madrid (2014, 2016, 2017, 2018).

Most Successful club

Real Madrid  with 4 titles and 7 club world championship in total (1960, 1998, 2002, 2014, 2016, 2017 & 2018).

Real Madrid won the 2018 edition, to become the first team ever to win it three years in a row and 4 times in the competition history.

The final of this year FIFA club world cup will involve UEFA Champions League Liverpool and Copa Libertadores champion Flamengo .

Which team will win this 2019 edition?

Fabiyi Ridwan

Sports Writer and Analyst 

How many people to watch Russia 2018 World Cup

Tobi Adesina

 

According to the final figures from FIFA, over one billion people tuned in to watch the final match of the 2014 edition. A total of 3.2billion people gained access to view the summer competition via in-house tv. The figure is expected to increase by 20% this summer.

Meanwhile, an estimated 280million people stream-live the world cup final from the internet.

This year (2018), it is expected that 4.1billion people will gain access to the Russia 2018 FIFA World Cup.

Meanwhile, internet live stream is expected to skyrocket to a staggering 350million views.