Instead, she’d been overwhelmed during the national anthem, nearly 40 minutes before the clip was broadcast as live by Uefa, the governing body that organises the Euro as well as the Champions League (essentially the Fifa of Europe), according to German broadcaster ARD (every broadcaster receives the same feed from Uefa, including Supersport, which aired the game here).
This wasn’t an isolated case. Footage from the Germany/Netherlands game showed Germany’s coach Joachim Löw playfully punching out a soccer ball from a ball boy’s hands was also later determined to have been pre-recorded.
Uefa first denied the charges, before conceding to overwhelming evidence, according to Associated Press.
It was shockingly naive. TV’s been fudging the distinction between documentary and stagecraft for a long time. Your favourite news and sports shows always make sure to tape footage of their reporter nodding thoughtfully, and insert it under an interview subject’s voice.
This makes it look like the correspondents are listening closely, when they might be doodling or picking their noses.
For an organisation that has obstinately refused to introduce goal line technology despite a barrage of embarrassments, I find it obscene for the same people to trick the fans with pre-recorded content.
The few seconds Uefa used to squeeze in the pre-recorded incidences is the same time that a referee would require to determine whether the ball crossed the line or not.
When it comes to goal line technology, Uefa behaves like we will have to reach out for the cameras to determine every goal kick or throw in.
Even if the football body was to introduce goal line technology in football, how many times would we need to resort to the camera to determine goals?
Going by the number of controversial incidences so far, the uses of goal line technology would be few and wide apart. Uefa needs to get a life!
By TONY NGARE
