By Andrew Warshaw
January 21 – UEFA’s refereeing chief Pierluigi Collina has given his personal backing for using goal-line technology in European competitions, starting with next summer’s Euros.
After a “long internal consultation process,” analysing hundreds of matches, Collina says he and his colleagues “feel that with Euro 2016 around the corner, it is a good opportunity for UEFA to introduce GLT at a big tournament.”
Collina’s views seem likely to persuade UEFA ‘s executive committee, meeting today and tomorrow, to approve goal-line technology which would then most likely be extended beyond Euro 2016 for use in the Champions League and Europa League now that UEFA’s banned president Michel Platini, a staunch opponent of technology, is no longer around to veto the idea .
But Collina, a former World Cup ref who was one of the game’s most respected officials, says UEFA remains committed to carry on Platini’s favoured system of two extra assistants.
While the effectiveness of the two additional officials behind each goal has been questioned by many, Collina feels they are making a difference.
“The penalty area is the most crucial zone of the field. Actions there have a decisive influence on matches. The density of players, especially in situations like free-kicks and corner-kicks, makes it impossible for a single pair of eyes to take control of all that happens on the numerous set-piece plays every match,” he said in an interview on the UEFA website.
“The aim of implementing the AARs has simply been to give the referees support in controlling the most important incidents on the field of play. Many people in the media and general public may not appreciate all that AARs do during the game, because these officials do not have a flag or a whistle, but it is a fact that they have been crucial in helping make the right decisions at the right time during our matches.”
“With goal-line technology, the additional assistants are released from this demanding task, and can focus exclusively on the control of other incidents on the field.”
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