50 Ways to Improve World Football

Over the weekend I read a nice and straight to the point article on the Bleacher Report. 50 reasons to improve the worlds most popular sport, some are glaringly obvious, while some aren't really necessary. However many improvements would instantly expand its reach into North America.

I know reading has now become a weak point for this generation, but these points are made within 1-3 paragraphs so it shouldn't put too much strain on your brains.

Here are the first 5, so enjoy!



1. Introduce Goal Line Technology
Quite possibly the most talked about issue in football today, goal line technology has been on the minds of fans, officials and executives right throughout the sport for a number of years now.

Frank Lampard's goal that was never given (and for that matter his recent "goal" that was given against Tottenham) just proves how much the sport is calling for some high quality goal line technology.

"Hawkeye" has worked wonders in tennis since it was introduced, and while the sports are obviously considerably different, there is still a good chance that similar technology would be very welcome in football.

2. Introduce Video Replays
Again, similar to the goal line technology, but video replays could well be used for decisions referees are uncertain on.

Quite how it would fit in to the sport is a problem for people to think about once it's been welcomed in already, but for now it's easy enough to say that video replay technology would give officials and governing bodies the chance to overturn wrong decisions.

It works in the NFL and while, like with tennis, the two sports are very different, they could still share a similarity in Video Replays improving the game.

3. Introduce a Salary Cap
Salaries are one of the most talked about problems with football nowadays, and it is a difficult one to argue around.

Players earning far more in salary contribute far more to a country through taxing, and without salaries as high as they have been, it's difficult to see how governments could afford the upkeep of key public sectors.

On the other hand, the amount many players earn after tax is still a phenomenal amount and it's always difficult to justify that, even with the tax argument. The best solution would quite possibly be a cap on salaries at an agreed upon and fair amount.

4. Introduce a Transfer Fee Cap
Much like the salary cap idea (and yes it is another picture of the most expensive footballer ever), a transfer fee cap would stop bids from becoming absolutely outrageous.

It doesn't matter how good Cristiano Ronaldo is, there isn't a player in the world that justifies an £80 million transfer.

A limit on transfer fees would ensure that there are no more outrageous sums of money paid out for one player.

5. Replace Sepp Blatter
Slightly controversial to some, but believe me it has very little to do with England losing the World Cup bid. It does however, have far more to do with Russia and Qatar winning the bids.

While Sepp Blatter may have made one or two positive moves for football during his (overly) long term in office at the FIFA Headquarters, his recent record of decisions and quotes has proven that he may not be the man for the job anymore.

This isn't supposed to be a slide to discuss the controversial decision to award the World Cups in 2018 and 2022 to the two most oil rich countries bidding, and I'm not going to suggest any conspiracy, but Blatter is not the leader he used to be, and the world knows it.

Click here to read the remaining 45