Arsene Wenger supportive of goal-line technology
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Your support makes all the difference.Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger would welcome goal-line technology and more - sooner rather than later.
Nine systems are being tested by a FIFA-employed authority with a final decision on which might be used due to be made by the game's law-makers on the eve of next season in July.
Earlier this week, Rochdale's stadium examined a system being developed by Bolton-based firm Goalminder, while another British firm Hawk-Eye, now owned by Sony, have been carrying out experiments at Southampton.
FA general secretary Alex Horne claims such goal-line technology could be used in the Barclays Premier League as early as next season.
Wenger would welcome the introduction in time for tomorrow's clash against Fulham at Emirates Stadium.
"The earlier the better," said the Arsenal manager said. "I am a big fan and I am an even bigger fan of more technology in the game.
"I just want to reduce the level of injustice and that for me has nothing to do with the money involved.
"I just want the right decisions to be made as much as possible and technology can help."
Wenger feels technology should be used more than just to decide whether a ball has crossed the line.
He said: "For penalty calls, offside - these kinds of things, but only at the demand of the referee. He will have command.
"When he feels he needs help, let's have access to technology."
The Arsenal manager insists using technology would not break up the flow of a match.
He said: "It is better than having somebody who talks two minutes with the referee during the game who says it was offside, or another player says he dived in the box and has a go at the referee.
"You waste more time with these things than with technology."
Wenger added: "Overall, people in this sport want technology. After you can say to what extent - that is variable.
"You ask me my opinion, I want as much as possible."
Richard Scudamore, chief executive of the Barclays Premier League, revealed he is also a big supporter of introducing technology into the game.
"If it's proven to work we will be one of the first adopters," Scudamore told talkSPORT.
"The criteria is that it has to be instant - and according to FIFA that is within a second - so it's got to be instant and 100% accurate.
"The technology guys are going to meet those criteria. I'm confident that by the time the second testing phase is done in March and April that we'll have a lot of tech guys who can do that.
"The game is about goals and they're hard to come by.
"I personally think it is useful around penalty incidents as they're tantamount to goals. They're such an emotive issue and the referee can see it again.
"It's all about getting the key decisions right."
PA
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