Dein backs calls for adoption of goal-line technology

Published on Tuesday 25 November 2008 22:26

FORMER Arsenal vice-chairman David Dein insists there is too much at stake in football to hold back on the introduction of technology.

Speaking during a presentation at Soccerex 08 which focused on the current state of the game, Dein called for goal-line technology to be brought in, adding that expanding the use beyond that should remain open to discussion. "The game has moved on," he said. "We are logging mistakes that a club pays for in cash.

"A mistake where a club does not qualify for the Champions League and loses 10million, a mistake where a club gets relegated and costs a lot more than that and the club may never get back in the Premiership again.

"I believe that referees are an endangered species. Nobody ever says 'the referee had a great game', they always say the opposite. It's always something that the referee hasn't done. So I believe that they need help.

"Things are not always what they seem. Refs can miss something because they're not looking directly at it. It's easy to miss something you're not looking at."

Dein, who left Arsenal in April last year, claimed it was unfair on managers and players to continue to shun the available technology.

"We're not trying to sanitise the game, one might say it's about technology, particularly about goal-line technology," he said. "That's what everybody works hard for, the coaches are working six days a week so that they can get the ball over the other team's goal-line.

"I know that Fifa are looking at it, there's talk in Uefa too about putting maybe another two assistants behind the goal to check, but can they actually beat the cameras that can see from various angles?"