Liga MX: Is it time for goal line technology?

This weekend has once again proven that Mexican soccer is never dull as we’ve seen two very bizarre goals awarded.

In Liga MX Femenil, Pumas overcame Lobos BUAP 1 – 0 with the only goal of the game awarded to Edna Santamaría. This is despite it clearly not crossing the line.

The incident took place in the 32^nd minute with a sweeping ball towards the back post which was attacked in the air by Santamaría. She made a clean connection and beat the keeper with the header only to see it rebound off the far post. Then it landed at the feet of Nataly Ávila who could only push it in to the side netting.

The two attacking players picked themselves up, didn’t celebrate and looked ready to get on with the game only for the ref to suddenly award the goal for the initial header. Understandably, Lobos BUAP are furious with the call which saw the home team pick up all three points.

The next incident occurred in Liga MX play between Club Tijuana and Cruz Azul and wasn’t quite as clear-cut, although it did have a couple of similarities. It was another sweeping ball in to the box from the right and another header.

This time Miller Bolaños headed the ball with vicious pace to the right of Cruz Azul keeper José de Jesús Corona. Corona managed to get a hand to the ball and drag it on to the line but it isn’t clear whether all of the ball crossed over the line before he got his hand to it.

This has brought back the debate on whether Liga MX should introduce goal line technology and, if so, which system should be used.

In the English Premier League for example the Adidas-backed system Cairos GLT is used, which involves the ref wearing a little watch that buzzes if all of the ball crosses the line. This is achieved through a microchip inside the ball picking up on signals sent out by sensors around the goal-mouth. The response is instant and there is no delay to play with no need to check any screens or refer to a 5^th official.

The other popular option is Hawk-Eye which utilises seven cameras placed high in the stadium to allow for a detailed review; similar to what you see in Tennis.

It’s worth noting that the Pumas Femenil game wasn’t being played at the Estadio Olímpico Universitario and so goal line tech is unlikely to have been available anyway. However, for Cruz Azul both of these systems would have definitively confirmed whether Tijuana’s goal at the Estadio Caliente should have stood.

The downside to both models is the cost and Liga MX is not the only top league to wince at the price. In an interview with Radio Marca, the former head of the Spanish FA’s refereeing committee, Victoriano Sanchez Arminio, discussed VAR and goal line technology advising that:

"“Both those things are good but they aren’t going to fix all of the problems,” “Hawk-Eye could have been brought into La Liga but it has to be approved by FIFA and costs 4 million euros. La Liga don’t want to pay that money.”"

With such a steep price, the relatively low frequency of these kinds of instances and leagues such as La Liga standing firm, it’s unlikely that we’ll see either method make its way to Mexico any time soon.

More from Viva Liga MX

• Guillermo Ochoa is out 4-6 weeks
• The Clásico Regiomontano is Heating Up
• Pumas: In Search of Regaining a Top Spot
• Why the United States Is Set to Overtake Mexico on the World Stage
• Erick Gutierrez is out once again

However, with fan pressure, the league may be forced to change their stance and so it really comes down to us, the viewers, to ask. Should we have goal line technology in Liga MX? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below. You can also follow us and interact on Twitter @VivaLigaMX or on Facebook!