Get the cameras in, says Poll

Leading referee Graham Poll has backed calls for the introduction of goalline cameras in the wake of Watford’s controversial opener against Chelsea on Saturday.

The Hornets took a fifth-minute lead at Vicarage Road when Heidar Helguson’s header struck the crossbar and was deemed to have crossed the line by referee Alan Wiley after consulting his assistant, Dave Bryan.

Television replays showed the ball had not crossed the line in the FA Cup clash, which eventually ended 2-2.

Poll told the Daily Mail: “Most, if not all, referees are in favour of using modern technology on matters of fact, and have been for a number of years.

“I understand the FA experimented with laser beams and the cost worked out at £50,000 (€71,000) a goal.

“That was seen as prohibitive but if the game isn’t prepared to pay, it must put up with human error.”

Chelsea boss Claudio Ranieri believes that video replays should be used to rule on such incidents, when it is easy to stop play and consider the evidence.

He said: “I make mistakes, as do players, referees and linesmen. But sooner or later, all stadia, especially in the Premier League, must have a camera to say whether it’s a goal or not.

“It’s not because of what happened to us, just for football in general. It would be very interesting for the fans, like in tennis.”

Watford manager Ray Lewington responded: “The only occasion for video replays could be for this kind of incident, where you could have a beam that goes across the goal and could instantly be given.

“I wouldn’t want to stop and start the game otherwise. But the technology could be there and there would be no argument as to whether the ball had crossed the line.”

The Football Association insist a decision on the introduction of goalline cameras must be left to the sport’s international governing body FIFA.