Video is not for football, insists Platini ahead of goal-line technology decision

By Andrew Warshaw

January 3 – The build up to the eagerly awaited decision in March whether, finally, to introduce goal-line technology is gathering pace with UEFA President Michel Platini, its fiercest high-profile opponent, again rubbishing the idea.

Platini’s counterpart, FIFA President Sepp Blatter, has suggested technology could be introduced in time for the Brazil 2014 World Cup as testing continues.

The International Football Association Board (IFAB), the game’s lawmaking custodians, are due to make a landmark ruling one way or the other at its meeting in early March.

But Platini insists video technology is “not for football” and that its introduction would rob the game of its popularity.

In an interview with France’s L’Équipe magazine, Platini said: “Video is not for football.

“Human [adjudication] is better.

“Football became popular thanks to its human values.

“If that becomes a commercial value, it will lose all its popularity.”

Platini argues that wrong refereeing decisions over whether the ball has clearly crossed the line are all part of the game – despite the fact that they can cause teams to be eliminated from competitions and coaches to lose their jobs.

Football, he says, has “based its popularity on injustices.”

Platini also revealed he has not yet taken any decision on whether he will definitely stand for the FIFA Presidency in 2015.

“I have just been re-elected at UEFA until 2015 and Blatter has been elected at FIFA for the same,” he said.

“We can talk more calmly about these things at the end of my mandate.

“For now, I have not taken this decision.”

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