We do need new technology, but not at expense of men in black - Cumming

Jul 15 2010 by Andrew McGilvray, Hamilton Advertiser

REFEREE supremo George Cumming has backed the use of goal-line technology in football – but only if it doesn’t undermine the man in the middle.

Video replays are a non-starter for the Hamilton man, who is very much in favour of a Hawk Eye system similar to tennis, or a microchip inside footballs.

Several high-profile errors during the 2010 World Cup – such as Frank Lampard’s goal that never was against Germany – have accelerated the clamour for new technology to be brought in, but Cumming insists FIFA must be careful in selecting their preferred product.

He said: “I think the referees were under major pressure during the World Cup and it has been disappointing that the big mistakes have been made in big games.

“There have been a lot of good performances but that’s overshadowed by the high-profile mistakes – and that’s what happens when you’ve got 50 cameras watching you from every angle.

“I was very much involved in the international board which makes the laws of the game when I was at FIFA. We’ve looked at goal-line technology for a very long time but, technically, it’s a very difficult thing to bring in.

“The principle is that it must be the referee who makes the decision, not somebody up in the stand, so video monitoring is out.

“It has to be a direct signal to the referee, and that’s where very specialist technology comes in.

“I think they’re getting closer to it and I’m in favour of goal-line technology, but not video replays – it would ruin the game and that would be a disaster.

“It would make the game stop-start and sometimes video replays can still be called wrong – I remember the Scotland v England rugby international when Johnny Wilkinson got awarded a try despite the fact that his foot was in touch.

“You’d need to change the laws of the game to allow for video technology, in fact you’d need to change everything so I’m really against it.

“There are two systems: the chip in the ball and the Hawk Eye system, which is to do with lasers on the goal-line.

“It doesn’t really matter what system you have because it becomes a commercial thing too.

“If FIFA were to say they’d go for one system, then that would look like they’re endorsing one and not the other, so that could be a restraint of trade.

“As long as the system works, if they accept the principle of goal-line technology and get accurate systems then that would be great.”