UEFA president Michel Platini has reiterated his opposition to goal-line technology by claiming that its introduction into football would be a "historical mistake", reports SportBusiness. Platini's latest comments come after FIFA president Sepp Blatter last week called the introduction of goal-line technology a "necessity" as co-host Ukraine exited Euro 2012 following yet another controversial incident.
Ukraine was defeated 1-0 by England in Donetsk on June 19, but appeared to have legitimate claims for an equaliser turned down. Marko Devic's 62nd minute shot appeared to have crossed the line before it was cleared by England defender John Terry, only for the official standing on the goal-line to fail to signal for a goal. The incident is one of a number of high-profile cases to have arisen in recent years.
In recent months, FIFA and the International Football Association Board (IFAB) have conducted goal-line technology trials incorporating the Hawk-Eye and GoalRef systems. If the trials prove successful the IFAB could approve the introduction of goal-line technology at its special meeting on July 2, where a final decision on the subject is set to be made by the game's rule-making body.
Platini, who is widely considered to be Blatter's heir apparent, has made no secret of his preference for the five-official system being used at Euro 2012 over the use of such technology.
He told The Independent newspaper:
The concept of using additional officials behind the goals has been utilised in the Champions League and Europa League for a number of years. Platini has maintained his belief that this is the best system and has warned of the future implications of football opening up to technology.
"I am against the technology of the video referee because on the Ukraine goal there was offside at the beginning," he said. "If you want technology for the goal - what do we do if it's offside before? It means that the action has to be stopped before. That's why I am against technology. Where do we go? Every time there is a goal we come back and at the beginning of the action there is a clear offside - what do we do? I am totally against it. Let's have humans. I remain consistent. It's not a question of goal-line technology - it's the question of the beginning of technology in football. That I am totally against." "For the moment, I am not the leader of FIFA. I don't know if I will be the next president of FIFA. But I think that the British and FIFA are making, for me, a historical mistake. It's a historical mistake. That's my view."
