A major squash initiative is launched by the PSA this evening at the ISS Canary Wharf Squash Classic with the introduction of a TV referee.
The TMO (Television Match Official) will be able to watch replays of any incidents from a variety of angles before making his or her decision.
Players will have the opportunity of two appeals per game to the TV official and the decision will be flashed up on the big screen above the glass court at the East Wintergarden venue.During a tiebreak, each player will have one TV appeal.
In a new move for the game, the non-striker can also lodge an appeal to the TMO.
For example, if the striker is awarded a penalty stroke by the three match officials, the non-striker can appeal to the TMO.
The first match to include this ground-breaking technology features Australia's Stewart Boswell against Finnish qualifier Henrik Mustonen.
Alex Gough, Chief Executive Officer of the PSA, said: “This is an exciting new development for the professional game. With the latest enhancements made to the TV coverage, we are able to bring in the technology that will assist referees in one of the fastest games on the planet.
“We will be constantly reviewing the process and other changes may be introduced at a later date.”
This system is fatally flawed - it is merely allowing one person's INTERPRETATION of the Interference Rule to overrule the joint interpretation of 3 highly qualified referees.
ReplyDeleteOther sports that use video review use it to determine points of fact - was the tennis ball in or out, was the football (or hockey puck) across the goal line, did a player's foot go out of bounds, etc. They do not try to second guess an interpretation of a rule.
Oh, and by the way, who exactly is this TMO - a qualified referee or what?
Graham Waters