Platini claims goal-line technology will lead to "PlayStation football"

By Andrew Warshaw

October 25 – UEFA President Michel Platini (pictured) has said introducing goal-line technology will lead to “PlayStation football”.

Platini has long used his position to prevent the introduction of scientific methods to check whether the ball has crossed the line and was the main instigator of the alternative system of two extra assistant referees, one behind each goal.

Football’s law-makers last week took the first step towards introducing goal-line technology but Platini, on a visit to Glasgow, said an assistant behind each goal and greater respect for referees were better solutions.

“One referee is not enough, not in the modern era where you have 20 cameras,” he said.

“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.

“It is why for the past 10 years I have asked to change the job of the referee, to help improve the situation and to give the referees better support.

“These people are going to make mistakes and to be a referee I think you have to be a masochist.

“The system is bad and I have known this for 40 years.

“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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