UEFA set to ignore goalline technology approval

By Andrew Warshaw at Soccerex in Manchester

March 29 – UEFA have given the biggest hint yet that it may ignore goalline technology, even if it is brought into law on a global level.

The International Football Association Board (IFAB), the game’s law-makers, are due to make a final decision on technology at a special meeting on July 2 following a final round of testing.

“If the technology is approved on July 2 we have to see what is approved, how it will work, how complicated or not it will be, and then it will go to our Executive Committee,” UEFA general secretary Gianni Infantino said here during the Soccerex conference.

UEFA President Michel Platini has long been opposed to technology in favour of two additional assistants, a system that has been used in this season’s European club competitions.

And FIFA President Sepp Blatter, who once also ruled out any scientific aids for helping referees, changed his mind after England’s Frank Lampard had a legitimate goal (pictured) against Germany ruled out during the World Cup in South Africa two years ago.

Infantino said using extra officials has an added benefit as they can help the referee rule on more situations than just disputed goals.

“On goal-line technology you can see whether a goal has been scored or not,” Infantino said.

“An additional assistant next to the goal can see this, but also some other things.

“What we have at the moment is two additional referees, with which we are very happy.

“And if the two additional referees are approved by the IFAB on July 2, then it’s likely we will use that.

“Certainly that system, then we will see about goalline technology.”

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