No need for goal-line technology, says Pearce

England Under-21 manager Stuart Pearce has insisted that football does not need goal-line technology – putting him at odds with his employers.

The Football Association have spent years pushing FIFA to consider technology – and nine systems are currently been tested, including two in England.

But Pearce says he is happy to abide by the referee’s decision and suggested that technology may remove some of the spontaneity from football.

The former Nottingham Forest defender’s views will find favour with UEFA president Michel Platini, who also says there is no need for technology and is pushing the system of extra assistant referees behind the goal-line.

Pearce said: “I’ve been brought up playing, probably the influence of Brian Clough, that the referee dictates the laws of the game. I’m quite happy to turn up to a game and go home from a game and let the referee play the game as he sees it.

“I’m not overly in favour of goal-line technology personally. Some you win, some you lose.

“It doesn’t chew me up when I go home at night when I’ve had a goal disallowed as I know next week that will go in my favour. The spontaneity of it is the excitement.”

Pearce rejected the need for the technology even in crucial games which could decide promotion or relegation and determine the fortunes of a club.

He added: “I do it for the love, not the money. It’s the love of the game that underpins everything, not the financial aspects of the game.

“I know my thoughts won’t be the same as a lot of other peoples’ thoughts but personally I’m happy to turn up and if the referee sees it and the linesman sees it go over the line then fine.

“If he doesn’t and it goes against you, one week that will go in your favour.”

Tests were carried out yesterday at Rochdale’s stadium on a system being developed by Bolton-based firm Goalminder.

Another British firm, Hawk-Eye, now owned by Sony, have being carrying out tests on their system at Southampton.

FA general secretary Alex Horne has said goal-line technology could be used in the Premier League as early as next season. “It’s possible,” he told the BBC.

“It’s easy to make mistakes and we’ve all seen examples where the referee and assistant referee can’t see if a ball has crossed the line or not.

“We need to support them in decision-making.”