UEFA: Coaches support extra-ref experiment
Reuters - Thursday 02 September 2010, 13:28
NYON - Europe's leading
coaches are in favour of the experiment with two extra linesmen
behind the goals and prefer it to the use of goal-line
technology, UEFA said on Thursday.
However, they are less enthusiastic about changing the away
goals rule used in European club competition, even though some
feel it encourages teams to play defensively at home rather than
attack when they are away.
The new refereeing system, which features one extra linesman
behind each goal, was first tried in the Europa League last
season and has been extended to the Champions League and the
Euro 2012 qualifiers.
UEFA president Michel Platini is one of the most vociferous
supporters of the experiment which is being carried out in other
competitions worldwide over the next two years before FIFA
decides whether to implement it on a permanent basis.
"They're very positive about this experiment," UEFA's
technical director Andy Roxburgh told reporters after a two-day
meeting of some of Europe's leading coaches at UEFA headquarters
including Pep Guardiola, Alex Ferguson, Jose Mourinho, Claude
Puel and Felix Magath.
"They're very much aware of the problems of going down the
technology route and, like Platini, they would like to keep it
human if possible, so this experiment with the additional
referees allows us to do that."
"The additional refs sometimes do not always look very
active but they are very active because they are in constant
touch with the referee," added Roxburgh.
"This role is new so it's something which has to be nurtured
and developed and it will evolve.
"There's also the deterrent effect, if there's eyes behind
the line there might not be so much pulling in the penalty box
or simulation."
The five referees failed one test last week when officials
at the Tottenham v Young Boys Champions League qualifier missed
an obvious handball by Jermain Defoe before he scored a Spurs
goal.
"There's no 100 percent guarantee but this is an attempt to
make it better, to minimise mistakes," said the former Scotland
manager.
Roxburgh said coaches had shown little enthusiasm for
changing the away goals rule.
"We raised the question that, after 40 years, is it
something that should be reviewed because some teams seem to
think now that a 0-0 at home is a good result because they
didn't lose an away goal, so has the balanced changed a bit?
"But they think that after 40 years, it's well established,
part of the game and we should leave it.
"However, they were questioning whether we should have the
away goals rule in extra-time," he added.
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