More technology will reduce perception of umpiring bias

The International Cricket Council (ICC) suspended six umpires after allegations that they were involved in match-fixing - based on a sting operation by an Indian television channel.

Veteran sports writer Ayaz Menon feels that it will be sad if the allegations are found to be true. He said, “Everyone clamours to keep the human element in sport alive. I have seen these instances in football, boxing where referees or umpires are involved and there have been allegations of bias. Cricket was also never bereft of controversy.”

There were several incidents in Mumbai club cricket where umpires have been beaten up because of supposed bias because the passions run high during that time, he added.

“Earlier one used to think that nationalistic fervour would influence certain decisions. There was an umpire called Idris Sheikh, who was thrown into a Peshawar swimming pool by MCC cricketer from a party because they were very upset with the decisions,” he said, while commenting on how allegations have always existed.

He said, “With the infusion of money there is the threat that much like players, selectors and officials can get corrupt, why not umpires?”

But can this problem be solved with the infusion of more technology?

He said, “More technology will at least reduce the perception of bias. Technology can also backfire like the recent instance when the wrong Hawk-eye was shown. Technology will minimise the disgruntlement that somebody or the other is cheating. However, it can also make the game very robotic,” he added.

Then, what could be the way forward?

He said, “90 per cent of the sport world is not corrupt. In that way sports is still winning, the game is still winning.”