Michel Platini sees no need to introduce technology to aid referees
UEFA president Michel Platini has said that he does not support newly-developed technology to support football referees, but that he wishes to see increased manual assistance for officials.
The International Football Association Board (IFAB), of which FIFA is a member, gathered to discuss the introduction of technology to the sport on Wednesday, 20 October, and set a November deadline for companies to present their systems to FIFA.
When asked about Hawk Eye, a system that places six cameras on the goal-line to monitor the ball's movement with unprecedented precision, Platini refuted the idea of introducing it to the sport.
"Then we will have PlayStation football," the 55-year-old told the Scottish Football Association's website. "One referee is not enough, not in the modern era where you have 20 cameras. It is unfair, the cameras can see everything, but the referee only has
one pair of eyes. Every time he makes a mistake, those cameras are there to focus on it."
At the World Cup in South Africa in June, one incident in particular caused an outcry in support of introducing technology to monitor the ball's movement on the pitch.
England's Frank Lampard hit a shot that bounced off German goalkeeper Manuel Neuer's crossbar and behind the goal line, but none of the officials took notice, and the goal was not given.
In last year's Europa League and in this year's editions of the Champions League, referees have been helped by the addition of two extra assistants, one behind either goal.
Platini said that such initiatives, as opposed to the introduction of technology, are a step in the right direction.
"The referee has to be helped by the clubs, the fans, by players, by the media and also by the authorities, everyone has a responsibility. It is why we have added two assistants for Champions League games this season. It is a logical step with so many cameras
that can pick up incidents, the more eyes there to assist the referee, the better the chance of spotting those incidents."
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