In his latest column for Hollywoodbets Sports, former referee Jerome Damon says there were fine margins in Sunday's Nedbank Cup semi-final as Kaizer Chiefs got the better of Mamelodi Sundowns after benefitting from an apparent offside goal.
When the dust settles after a thrilling game, TV analysts dive deep into the details, dissecting every moment with their gadgets and machines...
During the match, the technical team, often comprising up to seven members, uses various tools to monitor players’ conditions.
Coaches receive live updates on player freshness from tracking systems, a far cry from the days when a coach would simply decide if a player looked tired.
Today, it’s all about science and precision.
The laws of the game now allow players to wear tracking systems, and coaches can use communication devices to ensure optimal performance. From heat maps to AI animations of playing patterns, there’s no hiding on the field anymore.
Video footage is reviewed in real time, and coaches must behave responsibly, though this remains a challenge in high-stakes situations.
The Nedbank Cup semi-final between Mamelodi Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs was always going to be intense.
Sundowns crashed out, and their coach used technology in the post-match interview to argue that Chiefs’ Ashley du Preez’s winning goal was offside.
He had the data moments after the replay and used it to criticise the match officials.
Was it offside?
Late drama at Loftus 🤯
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) April 13, 2025
Ashley du Preez is the hero 🤩🔥#SSDiski | #NedbankCup pic.twitter.com/wqCLcoE2xV
From the stills, it seemed like an easy decision for the assistant referee, but in the dying minutes of the match at a packed Loftus, it’s a different story.
The assistant ref would have loved to see the still image brandished by coach Miguel Cardoso for just a few seconds. If he had, he would have raised his flag for offside.
A visibly frustrated Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso brought a cellphone to the post match presser at Loftus, showing to journalists a still pic that shows that Kaizer Chiefs striker Ashley du Preez may have been offside when he scored the winning goal.
— Tiisetso Malepa (@TiisetsoMalepa) April 14, 2025
"It's a clear… pic.twitter.com/ofWC9T8Yvt
However, that fine margin now lies with the coach and countless fans at home, who will shout “cheating and incompetence.”
The AR, who would have benefited the most, has to lick his wounds and hope he doesn’t get sanctioned for an error that anyone could have made.
On the other side of the world, football star Kylian Mbappe awaits his fate after a horrible challenge on Antonio Blanco in the Real Madrid versus Deportivo match.
No professional player would deliberately challenge another in the manner Mbappe did.
From video evidence, it looked like a misjudged challenge in timing and technique, which can happen on the field. This fine margin is accepted among professionals as accidental.
Referee César Soto Grado initially gave a yellow but, thanks to VAR, reviewed his decision and changed it to red.
Disgusting ‘tackle’ by Mbappe… vicious intent and could have broken the guy’s leg. Red card should be the very least of his punishment. pic.twitter.com/eeR0WWJKC7
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) April 13, 2025
Two examples of fine margins in football viewed differently by fans and coaches – one a misjudged tackle and another, a misjudged offside.
Who do you think will get the most sympathy?
Former referee Jerome Damon – who featured in multiple World Cup tournaments – delivers his authoritative column every Monday, exclusively for Hollywoodbets Sports…
