17 Aug 2009Refereeing chief Hackett calls for goal-line technology

Football Referees, Players, Managers and Media

Keith Hackett has backed fresh calls for the introduction of goal-line technology following the latest high-profile refereeing mistake in English football.

Over the second weekend of the Coca-Cola Championship season, referee Rob Shorebridge denied Crystal Palace a legitimate goal at Bristol City after he failed to spot that the ball crossed the line.

As such, Hackett, who is the general manager of the Professional Game Match Officials Board, has argued that FIFA needs to relax its stance on the mooted introduction of goal-line technology, pointing to the recent trials of HawkEye in the English Premier League as the way forward for the game.

"All we are looking for is fairness, to the players and the manager and the supporters, and we want a support mechanism to say 'is it a goal or not a goal'," he said.

"The ref carries the can with his colleagues but we've already said we need help in this particular field. Until the international board change their mind, we can't do anything."

For his error, Shorebridge and his team of assistants for the match have been handed a two-week suspension from duty by the Football League.

Written by Paul Roberts

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