TOP referee Andre Marriner has urged football's governing bodies to introduce goal-line technology, a move he says fellow Premier League referees are clamouring for.
The Birmingham-born referee will officiate this Sunday's Community Shield between Manchester United and Chelsea.
Frank Lampard is likely to feature for Chelsea for the first time in a competitive fixture the goal-line technology debate reignited at the FIFA World Cup after he was denied a goal in England's last-16 tie with Germany even though the ball clearly crossed the line.
Marriner told Press Association Sport: "I think if you asked any referee I think they would all support the introduction of goal-line technology, simply because it is a matter of fact.
"It is black or white. Is the ball over the line or not? That sort of thing really needs to come in, in terms of normal TV replays and things like that. Everything else is a matter of opinion.
"Goal-line technology, I think, is a must."
FIFA has promised to look into the introduction of the technology in the long term, but for now the governing body is ploughing forward with plans to employ additional assistant referees behind the goal.
Marriner, speaking at the Tune Group's announcement that it will become official shirt sponsor of England's top referees and match officials, praised the effectiveness of additional officials, but admitted that it would not rule out the possibility of human error.
"I was lucky enough to be part of that last season in the Europa League and I will again this season, more so in the Champions League," he said.
"It does add the possibility of human error into the game, but then again another pair of eyes offers advantages.
"For example, holding in the penalty area was non-existent on the games I was involved in because the extra pair of eyes made players not mess about in that respect.
"But in terms of error, again it is another opinion that can be proved wrong."
Frank Lampard is likely to feature for Chelsea for the first time in a competitive fixture the goal-line technology debate reignited at the FIFA World Cup after he was denied a goal in England's last-16 tie with Germany even though the ball clearly crossed the line.
Marriner told Press Association Sport: "I think if you asked any referee I think they would all support the introduction of goal-line technology, simply because it is a matter of fact.
"It is black or white. Is the ball over the line or not? That sort of thing really needs to come in, in terms of normal TV replays and things like that. Everything else is a matter of opinion.
"Goal-line technology, I think, is a must."
FIFA has promised to look into the introduction of the technology in the long term, but for now the governing body is ploughing forward with plans to employ additional assistant referees behind the goal.
Marriner, speaking at the Tune Group's announcement that it will become official shirt sponsor of England's top referees and match officials, praised the effectiveness of additional officials, but admitted that it would not rule out the possibility of human error.
"I was lucky enough to be part of that last season in the Europa League and I will again this season, more so in the Champions League," he said.
"It does add the possibility of human error into the game, but then again another pair of eyes offers advantages.
"For example, holding in the penalty area was non-existent on the games I was involved in because the extra pair of eyes made players not mess about in that respect.
"But in terms of error, again it is another opinion that can be proved wrong."
Copyright (c) Press Association
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