The18th Law

F.I.F.A. is ready to launch its Brazilian world cup final. In this 2014, June 12 is the kick-off date for the cup, and the new G.L.T. (Goal Line Technology) is among the most awaited features for the game. It seems we will witness for the first time in history goals that are true goals...not really. We will only know if the ball completely crossed the line, not if a foul was committed previous to it, not if it was a hand score, not if the player was in an offside position: some correction, right?
Let’s imagine that players will go unpunished in this soccer world cup for striking or spitting on an opponent unseen by the referee. Some will succeed in feigning a foul in the penalty area. Some others will feign an injury to delay the game, cool off the geared and warmed up opposing team or, even better, to get a player expelled from the game. How about all of that?
F.I.F.A. is interested in fair play, but its promotion is far from its assurance. We need to enforce fair play, to make it part of the game’s DNA. There is a tool, technology without gadgets, almost wireless ready to solve all of the above, it’s simple, versatile: the 18th law.