Goal line technology only needed every 40 years – Platini

VENICE, Italy,  (Reuters) – UEFA president Michel  Platini reiterated his opposition to goal line technology on  Thursday, saying it would only be needed once every 40 years and  could lead to “video refereeing”.

The Frenchman, speaking after a meeting of UEFA’s executive  committee, also praised Poland and Ukraine’s preparations to  host Euro 2012, describing progress as “sensational”.

World governing body FIFA is pressing ahead with plans to  use electronic equipment in incidents where there is a doubt as  to whether the ball has crossed the line.
However, European soccer boss Platini has repeatedly said he  prefers the system currently used in the Champions League and  Europa League where one extra assistant is placed behind each of  the goals.

These linesmen also help the referee in offside decisions,  handballs and fouls in the penalty area.

“It’s expensive to have extra referees, perhaps technology  is less expensive,” Platini told reporters.

“How often do you have an incident where there is a real  doubt as to whether the ball crossed the line? Perhaps once  every 40 years.”

Platini said that once goal line technology had been  accepted, then videos could be used to make other difficult  decisions.

“I’m afraid that if you start with technology which is used  once every 40 years, it could lead to other uses for the  technology and I’m afraid that maybe this could lead to video  refereeing,” he said.

“I don’t think this technology is really good for football.”
Platini then turned his attention to Euro 2012, where  preparations for the tournament were plagued by delays in the  early stages.

UEFA at one stage threatened to strip Ukrainian venues  Donetsk, Lviv and Kharkiv of the right to host matches.

“If you had seen these countries a few years ago and look at  what is happening right now, I think we can say that sensational  things have been done,” said Platini.

“We have had problems, of course, but the governments have  straightened things out, and I am not really worried.

“They have invested billions and billions in these  countries, they will have a legacy for decades to come.”