Goal-line technology may be all the rage, but UEFA is considering not using it even if a system is approved by FIFA. Soccer's rule-making body, the International Football Association Board (IFAB), will decide in July whether to approve high-tech aids for referees. Two systems are undergoing final tests. Using such technology will not be compulsory and UEFA general secretary Gianni Infantino said Wednesday the governing body may opt to use extra assistant referees next to the goals, as is currently done.

UEFA President Michel Platini has led the opposition to technology. He advocates the use of two additional officials to help rule on disputed goals as well as handle match control.

“On goal-line technology you can see whether a goal has been scored or not,” Infantino said. “An additional assistant next to the goal can see this, but also some other things.”

The two extra officials are being used in Champions League and Europa League matches and the IFAB will decide on July 2 whether to approve this change for all competitions. The IFAB will also decide whether to approve high-tech, goal-line devices. But using such technology will not be compulsory even if approved.
“If the technology is approved on July 2 we have to see what is approved, how it will work, how complicated or not it will be … and then it will go to our executive committee,” Infantino said during the SoccerEx convention in Manchester.