Keeping Technology OFF the Field

FIFA has claimed technology should be kept off the field in order to preserve the true nature of the game. After watching an amateur German league match, it seems they might have a valid point.

In the middle of SV Sem Jemgum’s German amateur match against Fortuna Veenhusen, Jemgum’s Matthias Hilbrands noticed a teammate calling him over to the sideline with cell phone in hand. Game must have not been very important because Hilbrands didn’t think twice about taking the call even though the ball was still in play.  It seemed the conversation wouldn’t be interrupted by the game until Hilbrand saw an opponent coming his way. His obvious reaction? A swift crunching tackle, hand the cell phone back to the teammate and walk away.

Maybe these amateur games aren’t as important as they seem?