Pre-Listening Vocabulary
- questionable: uncertain; disputable
- crossbar: the bar at the top of a net
- wave off: to indicate that no goal has been scored
- sensor: a device that measures and records things like movement or light
- officiator: referee
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- New Technology Prevents Ghost Goals At World Cup
- In 1966, during the FIFA World Cup final between England and Germany, England was awarded a questionable goal. The score was 2-2 when England’s ball hit Germany’s crossbar and fell down near the goal line. Even though officials were unsure if it crossed the goal line or not, England was awarded the goal and went on to win the match. A questionable goal like this is commonly referred to as a “ghost goal”. Many years later, at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, a similar play occurred with the same two teams. This time when England’s ball dropped out of the net after hitting the crossbar, the goal was waved off. Instant replay later showed, however, that it was clearly a goal. This officiating mistake helped convince FIFA’s president to allow goal-line technology at the next competition. In 2014, a system of sensors and cameras were installed for the World Cup matches. Officiators now get notified instantly on their smart watches as soon as a ball crosses the goal line.
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