Platini Rejects Goal-Line Technology
UEFA president Michel Platini spoke of his preference for human eyes over technology during the European football governing body's Executive Committee meeting here on Thursday.
Earlier this week, FIFA president Sepp Blatter gave his backing to goal-line technology but Platini remained steadfast in his opposition to the idea, claiming UEFA's solution of putting two extra officials behind the goal was preferable to going down the route of electronic aids.
Blatter, however, said the extra officials are too costly for many poorer countries.
"We put (extra) human eyes to see if the ball has gone in. I like the five officials because it's a human system," said Platini.
"If you ask (UEFA referees chief Pierluigi) Collina, he will tell you that many good decisions have been taken that way.
"I understand that FIFA says it will cost too much but in any case it's not video refereeing, it's just on the goal-line.
"I'm not sure technology is important in such cases. If you consider the World Cup in 2010 and 1966, that's two cases.
"All that technology to use it twice in 40 years."
Platini was referring to two matches between England and Germany (or West Germany in 1966).
England won the World Cup final at Wembley 4-2 in 1966 but debate still rages over whether their third goal, scored by Geoff Hurst, actually crossed the line.
And then last year, Germany were the beneficiaries of a poor decision when a shot from Frank Lampard clearly went a foot or two over the line in their last-16 match but was not given.
Had it stood, England would have leveled the scores at 2-2 but instead went on to lose 4-1.
While both of those were very high-profile cases, Platini fears that introducing goal-line technology would lead to other areas also becoming affected by technology.
"What scares me is that if we start to use technology for things that have little point, we will also move onto offside technology, because there are five off sides per match," he said.
"The (FIFA) Board will decide but I have the right to disagree and I don't think it's a good idea."
Looking forward to next year's European Championship in Poland and Ukraine, Platini insisted it would be an excellent competition despite concerns about the two countries' ability to organize such an event.
"We said from the beginning that it was a big challenge for Ukraine, for Poland and for UEFA," he said.
"It wasn't easy, especially for Ukraine, and there were times when we wondered if we should continue.
"But the stadiums are finished, they're very beautiful and there are just two things missing.
"A few hotels because the crisis didn't allow them to be built, but they're looking at every possible way to host fans.
"And the organization, and on that score they're counting on UEFA's know-how. I'm not worried. I think it will be excellent.
"If you had seen the state of towns a few years ago and now, it's amazing. They've done some fantastic things, even though they're not yet at the level of England, Italy or France."
Asked about Lyon's surprising 7-1 Champions League victory at Dinamo Zagreb on Wednesday night, Platini said he had no doubts about the integrity of the parties involved.
Lyon needed to win, for Ajax to lose at home to Real and an enormous goal difference swing to qualify for the last 16, which is exactly what happened.
"Personally I don't have any doubts about this match," said Platini, before joking: "Dinamo Zagreb need to use the money they got from competing in the Champions League to change their defense and goalkeeper."
Source: Agence France Presse
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