By Andrew Warshaw
October 1 – The difference of opinion between FIFA President Sepp Blatter and his UEFA opposite number Michel Platini over whether to use goal-line technology or extra referees’ assistants has been stoked up once again.
Despite the apparent success of the Platini-backed additional assistant referees (AAR’s) at the 2012 European Championship in Poland and Ukraine, Blatter (pictured top) has made it clear that they are unlikely to be used at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil since they are not being employed during the current qualifying competition.
UEFA is still experimenting with five officials in Champions League and Europa League matches, while the system is also used in Italy’s Serie A.
Platini argues that his system, as well as being used to check whether the ball has crossed the line, helps reduce fouls in the penalty area and stops players from diving.
But Blatter, after several years of scepticism, is now a keen advocate of goal-line technology, which FIFA has already confirmed will be used in Brazil.
“All around the world, the qualifying system is done with the conservative system of one referee, two assistant referees and the fourth official,” Blatter explained.
“I’m not going to say what is the final decision before the World Cup, but if you have the system which has run for the qualification, then you should have the same system in the final.
“There are not so many associations in the world of football that can afford to have so many referees, even in professional leagues.
“The referees [behind the goals] must have the same quality as the referee in the middle, otherwise it will not work; that is the first principle.
“Let us wait and see how many of the national associations will use this system of additional referees and how it will work in the different leagues.”
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