Manchester United Football Club News

• Nickname:Red Devils
• Founded:1878
• Manager:Sir Alex Ferguson

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Fergie calls for technology

20 Nov 2009 - 13:10:45

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Sir Alex Ferguson has added his voice to the clamour of those calling on FIFA to finally introduce video technology following France's controversial World Cup play-off victory over the Republic of Ireland.

Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni has been joined by a host of footballing luminaries in calling on the game's governing body to move with the times and employ video technology to prevent a repeat of the scenes in Paris on Wednesday night.

France won their play-off with the Republic after the referee missed a clear handball by Thierry Henry in the build-up to a decisive goal in extra-time.

Ferguson has sympathy with Trapattoni but has warned that similar controversial moments will continue until FIFA decide to use video technology.

"It was a marvellous performance by the referee and he just didn't see it," said the veteran Scot.

"It begs the question about technology. Until (FIFA) change there is nothing you can do about it and you have to convince them.

"It's not a matter of asking every manager or player in the world and getting his opinion because you will probably get the same answer because they all think, as I do myself, that technology can play a part.

"If you look at American football with the time they take on debatable decisions they take three four minutes to decide and that makes American football last for five hours so the fans are used to spending the whole day at the ground whereas our game it is a winter game it would take too long for the referee to look at the monitor.

"But then sometimes you see a goalkeeper take a minute to take a goal-kick depending on the score and actually the amount of time in a football match is 65 minutes of actual action, so to get help from his assistant by the monitor would only take a minute or so.

"It is a debatable point but is never going to change unless FIFA change their minds."