bluearmy
Youth Team
Just in case the ref makes a bad decision tonight!
New scientific research suggests that football referees are unable to apply the offside rule correctly because it is too complex for the brain and eye to process accurately. The study by a Spanish doctor, Francisco Belda Maruenda(, published in the British Medical Journal), reviews the physiology of the eye movements involved in assessing an offside decision. Dr Maruenda says referees and linesmen must monitor at least five objects simultaneously -- the ball, the passer and receiver of the ball as well as two defenders -- in order to make a judgement. He says this is beyond the capacity of the human eye, and that errors are unavoidable. (He suggests that if the current offside rule is to be retained, television analysis should be used to ensure correct decisions are made.)
{NET HEADLINE: Offside rule 'too complex for referees' brains'}
{SOURCES: Rejig 0200;
0200 new}
{17/12/2004 08:41:05
pm}
New scientific research suggests that football referees are unable to apply the offside rule correctly because it is too complex for the brain and eye to process accurately. The study by a Spanish doctor, Francisco Belda Maruenda(, published in the British Medical Journal), reviews the physiology of the eye movements involved in assessing an offside decision. Dr Maruenda says referees and linesmen must monitor at least five objects simultaneously -- the ball, the passer and receiver of the ball as well as two defenders -- in order to make a judgement. He says this is beyond the capacity of the human eye, and that errors are unavoidable. (He suggests that if the current offside rule is to be retained, television analysis should be used to ensure correct decisions are made.)
{NET HEADLINE: Offside rule 'too complex for referees' brains'}
{SOURCES: Rejig 0200;
0200 new}
{17/12/2004 08:41:05
pm}
