Umpires defend use of video replay

Published September 14, 2006

MONCHENGLADBACH, Sept 13: The use of video replay was defended by the umpires' manager on Tuesday at the World Cup hockey. Video replay is being used for the first time at field hockey's second most prestigious event behind the Olympics. The first test at any important event came at last month's Champions Trophy.

''The four or five decisions we have made using it have all turned out to be correct. We have had no official complaints and I'm sure we would hear from the coaches if we did something wrong,'' umpires' manager Clive McMurray said on Tuesday.

South Korea coach Cho Sung-Jun believed games were delayed by referees turning to the video umpire, Pakistan's Ali Nasir felt the technology wasn't used well and Australia's Barry Dancer questioned whether it should have undergone more testing before the World Cup.

''In my view it is a success and we should be able to expand its use,'' tournament director Ken Read said.

Video replay is limited to decisions on whether the ball crossed the line, was in the circle at the time of a shot, and whether an attacker's stick touched the ball before it crossed the goal line.

—AP

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