UEFA president Platini: ‘You will never convince me on technology’

UEFA president Michel Platini has maintained his heavy anti-goal line technology stance despite plans for it to be introduced in certain leagues as soon as next year.

The Premier League plans to introduce the new system for the 2013-14 season amid increasing calls from the media, public and those involved in soccer for referees to be aided by technology. Platini, though, remains unconvinced of the shift away from human error and argues it would be more beneficial to increase the number of officials instead.

“So what will we have for offside decisions?” Platini told the London Evening Standard. “A guy pushing the button on a television replay telling the referee? And, if is he from Arsenal and the goal is by Tottenham, what does he do? My idea is to help referees by putting up more referees.

“You will never convince me on technology, and I will not change at the age of 57. Technology assisting referee: I say, no.”

When asked whether extra officials can co-exist with new technology, the former France international added, "No, how can we put goal-line technology in every match? We will have to spend a lot of money. National associations will not do that. Fine, let England do it as a trial and see if it works.”