With football's World Cup reaching the second stage, it is very difficult to not let it engulf your life.

It is an amazing tournament in the fact that it reaches all parts of the world. Wherever you look in England, you see a St George's flag flying proudly and every second conversation is about football.

While my viewing of the World Cup has been through late-night highlights, it seems very evident that it is the improved quality of the minor nations that has made the tournament so interesting. By being well organised, they have been hard to break down and kept the games interesting.

There are two things that surprise me about watching football on television. The first, being the lack of modern technology in decision-making. The second is an impression that there seems to be a lack of respect for the referees from the players.

For many year's the cricket establishment was criticised for the archaic manner in which people perceived it was being run. But I think that it is football's authorities who have been slow to embrace the modern technology that is available to ease decision-making.

As so many sports have opted to use the technology available, it seems strange that the one sport that is truly global and that has so much at stake, is still relying on the possibility of human error.

There have been arguments that the stoppages would interrupt a flowing game but surely it is worth the odd short stoppage to find out the right decision rather than a game being decided on an error?

Besides, the crowds would actually enjoy these moments. The delays in Rugby League and cricket are often tense and exciting.

There have already been several decisions during this World Cup to suggest that it is time for a change. It will not be long before a World Cup final is won or lost on a controversial decision. Indeed, England's 1966 triumph might be a case in point.

The misinterpretation or consistency of decision-making is what I believe causes the players to get frustrated. The more this happens in a game, the more that frustration builds and the referee is placed under huge pressure by the players. Technology could defuse the situation instantly and the players could get on with the game.

In my efforts to stop players questioning the referee, I would also introduce a sin bin as in rugby. It may sound ridiculous but, after a few games, I think the likes of Sir Alex Ferguson would ensure that Wayne Rooney and his team-mates were respecting every decision.

While supporters have largely cleaned up their acts over the last few years, it is now time that the players took more responsibility for their actions on the field.

It depresses me that even children question refereeing decisions these days; it all stems from the example they are set by the professional players on television.

I also like the idea of incidents being put on report as in rugby league, where they can be reviewed after the match and players disciplined appropriately after the review. I would just like to see something introduced that stops players diving and feigning injury.

On a personal note, it was a great relief to score my hundredth hundred for Worcestershire. Worcester has become a very special place to me over the last 23 years and to score the hundred at New Road was very enjoyable. There were many familiar faces around the ground that I have got to know over time and I hope they enjoyed the moment as much as I did.

We have managed to play some good cricket over the last five weeks and had some good results. I hope this momentum carries on into the Twenty20. I look forward to seeing the grounds full and all the kids having a lot of fun.

Graeme Hick writes for The Post courtesy of Apollo 2000. Visit www.apollo2000.co.uk for great online deals on gas and electrical appliances ..SUPL: