Platini in video technology U-turn as UEFA chief admits he's considering replays to rule on offside decisions
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UPDATED:
16:03 GMT, 28 November 2012
UEFA president Michel Platini has admitted he is considering the use of video replays to help referees rule on offside decisions for the first time.
It marks a dramatic turnaround from the head of European football, who has long been opposed to the use of goal-line technology and video in football to help referees make correct decisions, arguing they are unnecessary and slow the game down.
In fact, it was believed that even if English clubs had goal-line technology in place, he would insist that any clubs playing in the Champions League and Europa League turn OFF the hi-tech systems for those games.
Centre of attention: Platini is considering the use of video replays
Asked if he had changed his mind on the use of video by French newspaper Ouest France, Platini said: 'There is a complicated thing for which we might, and I say might, need video, it's offside. Because it is very difficult for the referees to rule on that.'
Since the European Championships in the summer, FIFA have jumped ahead of UEFA in their openness to using technology.
For FIFA president Sepp Blatter, the final straw came in Donetsk this summer, when it was not spotted by the officials that a shot from Ukraine forward Marko Devic had crossed the line before it was hooked away by John Terry.
Replays have established Devic had been offside earlier in the move, and that had not been spotted either. Yet at the time Platini uses that incident to underline why he does not want technology in the game.
Speaking in June Platini said: 'The goal between England and Ukraine: it was a goal. It was a mistake from the referee. But there was an offside before then.
'If the officials had given offside there wouldn't have been a goal. So why don't we have technology for offside decisions as well Where does it stop' 'It's not goal-line technology in itself,' said Platini.
'I am against technology coming into force to actually make decisions.
'It invades every single area. If tomorrow someone handballs it on the line and the referee doesn't see it, what then
'We can't just have goal-line technology. We also need sensors to see if someone has handballed it.
'We need cameras to see if it should be a goal or not.' During the summer it seemed there was even the possibility that Platini might look to prevent technology being used in UEFA's flagship tournaments even if FIFA decide to pursue the venture.
'We are going to see if this is suggested and proposed to all federations,' he said. 'The national federations will have then have the chance to decide whether they want goal-line technology.
'Mr Blatter knows what I think of this and I know his thoughts on the issue.'
