Arsenal’s plight must reopen the age old debate

Betfair Blogger Gareth Freeman feels the decision to charge Eduardo is extremely harsh.

The news broke yesterday that Arsenal's Eduardo has been charged by UEFA with ‘deceiving the referee' for his dive against Celtic.  I am by no means advocating diving, but I have to say I find this decision extremely harsh. 

Considering the ‘challenge' itself, Celtic keeper Artur Boruc was flying out towards Eduardo and, as Roy Keane has suggested, the player may have been anticipating contact and gone to ground.  That aside it is ridiculously harsh on the Arsenal striker that he has been singled out when it happens week in, week out all over the world of football.  The Chief executive of the SFA adding his thoughts probably didn't help Eduardo's case either and it looks as if he has been picked out as an individual they can make an example of. 

The Croatian international will be sentenced on September 1 and it is largely expected that, if found guilty, he will receive a two game ban in the Champions League.  Again this seems unfair, if it had been spotted in play he would have been booked and that would be the end of it.  If Eduardo is handed a two game ban how exactly does this help Celtic?  In no way whatsoever as far as I can see. 

For me the answer is simple.  I've always been an advocate of the use of video technology and surely it would help in this situation.  Had there been another official with a screen to watch the incident again he could have ruled either it was a penalty or it wasn't and that would be the end of the matter (assuming the video official over ruled the penalty decision – that would have benefited Celtic).  Instead Eduardo is looking at a two-game ban for something which happens in football all the time.  I'm not saying it is right that players dive in the box and they should definitely be booked if caught out but to award Eduardo a retrospective ban seems a ludicrous decision to me. 

This is just one type of case where video technology would be a huge benefit.  Already this season Crystal Palace striker Freddie Sears ‘scored' against Bristol City only for the referee to miss the goal and the Eagles went on to lose the game.  There was a similar incident in the Championship last season (Watford Vs Reading) and I'm sure many more abysmal decisions will be made until, at the very least, goal-line technology is implemented. 

Fortunately for Arsenal, Eduardo's potential, and let's face it probable, ban shouldn't hurt them too much.  The Gunners drew AZ Alkmaar, Olympiakos and Standard Liege in their Champions League group and are firm betting favourites to finish top of Group H.  For Eduardo himself it will come as a blow personally as he is just starting to get back into his stride after his lengthy spell out through injury.  I genuinely feel it is time football caught up with the rest of the sporting world and utilised technology in at least some capacity.  In tennis they can challenge the call with ‘hawkeye', technology is used to great effect in Rugby League and surely it is time football, the greatest sport in the world, followed suit.