Arsene Wenger critical of idea of having extra officials
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is adamant that having more officials will not eradicate officiating errors from the sport of football.
Wenger reiterated his position on the subject after Arsenal's 2-0 Champions League loss to Sporting Braga on Tuesday 23 November, in light of the UEFA adding officials behind the goal line to help referees make important decisions around the penalty areas.
According to the club's official website, Wenger was quoted as saying, "It's only my opinion on this game (the loss to Braga), but on the night you had some surprising decisions."
One particular decision which had Wenger particularly incensed was a non-call on Carlos Vela, who had appeared to have been fouled in the box by a Braga defender. The failure to award a penalty kick on the play has Wenger believing there are some obvious
flaws with the rationale.
"It's not an absolutely rational argument that (adding officials) can cut the mistakes, because they can make errors as well and you can add errors to errors that exist already," Wenger said.
"They are human beings who make mistakes as well.
We have seen as well in some games that they made a wrong decision when the referee made it right at the start. At the moment, everybody would accept who watches the game that it's worth attempting, but it's not conclusive
in a positive way at the moment. We have to wait a little bit more."
Wenger is one of the outspoken advocates of using technology, such as video replay, to clarify on-field refereeing decisions, something which several footballing associations have been opposed to.
"I've always been for it and you will not be surprised if I do not change my mind."
The result in Braga was a major blow to Arsenal's hopes of progressing to the knockout phase of the Champions League as they are now forced to fetch a result in their final match at home to Partizan Belgrade.
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