Platini Suggests Adding Two More Referees

• The Guardian, Wednesday, February 14, 2007 3:29 PM

UEFA's new president Michel Platini has laid out new measures to cut back on referee mistakes, but they don't include video technology. Instead, the former France and Juventus legend advocates upping the number of officials on the field from three to five. The idea is that an extra official on either side would make all calls in the penalty box. "We have to help referees, who can't see everything and I believe two more assistants on either side of the pitch would do this," Platini said. "It would help judging offside decisions as well as a range of off-the-ball incidents."

Platini said he doesn't support the use of video technology because it would break up the flow of the game. He added: "Where would it stop? If you start with videos, you will finish with videos and there would be no more." Even so, technology would be more precise, and with lightening-quick speed information can be delivered these days, referees could have replays beamed directly to their watches (for example) in mere seconds. This could be a bandage, but it won't fix the problem. Every coach, fan and player has at one point or another wished FIFA would just swallow its pride and jump on the 21st century bandwagon. Platini, meanwhile is set to discuss his idea with FIFA on March 3.

Read the whole story at The Guardian »