I'm against the technology, insists Michel Platini as he stands firm against goal-line aids

By Andrew Warshaw

May 21 – UEFA President Michel Platini has reiterated his opposition to goal-line technology – and says his counterpart at FIFA, Sepp Blatter, may yet do the same.

Final testing for both the Hawk-Eye and the GoalRef systems are well into their stride with a definitive decision to be taken by the International Football Association Board (IFAB), the game’s lawmakers, in Kiev on July 2.

But Platini insists implementation is by no means a fait accompli and that Blatter, who has changed his mind about scientific aids for referees in recent months and is now in favour, could well change it back again.

Platini, who has long preferred the ongoing experiment of two additional assistants, continues to take the view that goal-line technology will serve as a dangerous precedent even though he is increasingly in the minority.

“I’m against the technology,” said Platini.

“If you say okay to goal-line technology, then it is offside technology, then penalty area technology, and we stop the football.

“I want human people – it’s easy.

“I understand the fans because they want justice but with an additional referee we have the same justice.”

Blatter has said he wants technology in place for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil but Platini has not given up all hope that the FIFA President, a role he himself covets in a few years’ time, may yet have second thoughts.

“I am football, he is political,” Platini told CNN.

“He changes his mind.

“He said last year in the IFAB never technology, never.

“This year he changed, he’s says let’s go for technology.

“I hope next year he will say no technology.”

Platini also made it clear that UEFA would not back down from implementing its Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules designed to compel teams to live within their means.

The rules come fully into force in 2014-2015 and despite suggestions that UEFA would never take the risk of sanctioning Europe’s biggest clubs such as new English Premier League champions Manchester City, Platini said there would be no turning back.

“I’m happy for them,” said Platini, as he congratulated City on their title success.

“But they will know what we will do.

“And if they are in the Financial Fair Play they will play our competition but we will look at them like we will look at everyone else.

Platini added: “We prepare everything with the clubs – we gave them four years to prepare something for the future.

“We will never go back.”

Platini also shrugged off continuing threats by European Governments – led by German Chancellor Angela Merkel (pictured above, right) – that their politicians would boycott the 2012 European Championships in sympathy with jailed Ukrainian opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko.

“I’m not worried about the situation,” Platini insisted.

“The politicians can say what they want – we continue to organise the Euro.

“If Germany is in the final of the Euro I would be sure that Madame Merkel would come.”

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