Platini pushing for extra officials but resisting goal-line technology

UEFA president Michel Platini has claimed goal-line technology will lead to “PlayStation football.”

Platini, who is pushing for two extra assistant referees behind the goal-line at games, said football had to help match officials gain more respect.

Football’s law-makers last week took the first step towards introducing goal-line technology but speaking on a visit to Glasgow, Platini said: “One referee is not enough, not in the modern era where you have 20 cameras. It is unfair: the cameras can see everything but the referee only has one pair of eyes. Every time he makes a mistake, those cameras are there to focus on it.

“The referee has to be helped by the clubs, the fans, by players, by the media and also by the authorities – everyone has a responsibility. It is why we have added two assistants for Champions League games this season.

“It is a logical step with so many cameras that can pick up incidents: the more eyes there to assist the referee, the better the chance of spotting those incidents.”

Meanwhile, UEFA insist they will only open an investigation into claims of corruption surrounding the appointment of Poland and Ukraine as Euro 2012 hosts if evidence is produced.

Spiros Marangos, treasurer of the Cyprus Football Association, made the allegations in German newspaper Suddeutsche Zeitung.

UEFA said the claims are unsubstantiated and called for tangible proof.

The allegations are the latest claims to rock the world of football following the Sunday Times investigation into two FIFA executive committee members who asked for money in return for World Cup votes.

UEFA said in a statement: “UEFA has taken note of recent media reports according to which an individual from Cyprus claims to be in possession of evidence that certain UEFA representatives were corrupted in relation to the appointment of Poland and the Ukraine as hosts for UEFA EURO 2012.

“In relation to this as yet unsubstantiated claim, UEFA wishes to state that, as always, it can only open an investigation on the basis of tangible elements of proof.

“UEFA has therefore today, via its legal counsel, again requested said individual to submit to UEFA any evidence that according to him should confirm his allegations, by Wednesday 27 October at the latest.

“If any such tangible elements are delivered, UEFA will then open the corresponding disciplinary case and will submit such evidence to the competent authorities.”

UEFA said they were leaders in the fight against corruption and threatened legal action against unsubstantiated statements.

“If no such evidence is submitted within the time frame, UEFA reserves its right to start legal proceedings, civil and criminal, against any individual or individuals making such defamatory statements.

“The fight against corruption is taken very seriously by UEFA which has taken, and continues to take, all necessary steps to sanction and eradicate it, but UEFA aims equally to protect integrity and truth by taking action based on facts and evidence alone.”