By Andrew Warshaw
June 20 – FIFA President Sepp Blatter has renewed his call for the introduction of goal-line technology following Ukraine’s disallowed goal in the 1-0 defeat by England that saw the joint hosts tumbling out of the 2012 European Championship.
Marko Dević’s 62nd minute shot crossed the line in the game in Donetsk but was ruled out despite the presence of an extra official on the line.
Blatter, who was initially opposed to goal-line technology but changed his mind after Frank Lampard’s effort clearly crossed the line against Germany in the 2010 World Cup, sent a Tweet in the wake of last night’s latest blunder.
“After last night’s match #GLT is no longer an alternative but a necessity,” Blatter said.
His comments highlighted the importance of the International Football Association Board (IFAB) meeting on July 5 in Zurich at which football’s lawmakers are likely to give one of two goal-line systems currently being tested the go-ahead.
Individual associations will then be permitted to decide whether to use the technology, but UEFA could still opt out.
Although UEFA boss Michel Platini favours the idea of extra officials behind each goal, they appear to have made little or no difference in cases of whether the ball has crossed the line.
Last night, the referee, linesmen and additional officials all failed to spot that Devic’s (pictured below) shot had narrowly crossed the line before John Terry’s (pictured top, right) acrobatic attempted clearance.
On the eve of the tournament Platini had played up the effectiveness of five officials telling reporters: “With five, officials see everything.
“They don’t take decisions without being fully aware.
“There’s also a uniformity of refereeing.
“For example, they don’t call unintentional handballs.
“That uniformity has led to more flowing football.
“Goal-line technology isn’t a problem.
“The problem is the arrival of technology because, after, you’ll need technology for deciding handballs and then for offside decisions and so on.
“It’ll be like that forever and ever.
“It’ll never stop.
“That’s the problem I have.”
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