According to Goal.com, FIFA, the world governing body for soccer (football), has decided to use imaging technology to review goal-line decisions by referees that often lead to real goals disallowed erroneously -- and hear this, FIFA will use statistical software to predict what might have happened after the goals were reinstated, and change the match scores accordingly.
As an example, in last year's World Cup, England had a goal disallowed erroneously in the otherwise disastrous match against Germany, which ended with England losing 1-4. Based on statistics, the score will soon be revised to 2-5. Goal.com explains:
We then used a programme based on state-of-the-art technology provided by the makers of Championship Manager to simulate what would have happened had England levelled the score at 2-2 and the final score is now 5-2 to Germany.
We applaud this audacious move to embrace statistical analysis. This move now puts soccer ahead of other professional sports. April 1, 2011 will be a day to remember. Read the details here.
There is a plan that they hope to introduce in a years time to replace the complete football competition with simulations. That will avoid the need to have overpayed players and obnoxious fans at the grounds. It will also allow comebacks for champion players such as Pele.
Posted by: Ken | 04/02/2011 at 03:42 AM
Isn't it an April fool joke?
The article is ended with: "Happy April Fool's Day from Goal.com"
Posted by: dfpoon | 04/14/2011 at 12:56 AM
dfpoon: I was hoping someone will notice the date this post came out. Statisticians can do a lot of things but this hopefully isn't one of them.
Posted by: Kaiser | 04/17/2011 at 05:25 PM