SFA will not bow to technology pressure
Unlike the Premier League, the Scottish Football Association has decided to not invest in goal-line technology because it is too expensive, according to TeamTalk.
Instead, the leading football governing body in Scotland will continue to train officials, despite the calls for technology following an amazing incident in Sunday’s Edinburgh derby.
Leigh Griffiths of Hibernian struck a free-kick off the underside of the crossbar in the 0-0 draw with Hearts at Easter Road. Television replays later revealed the ball crossed the line by at least a yard, but was missed by referee Euan Norris and his assistant Raymond Whyte.
After much deliberation, FIFA gave the technology the go-ahead earlier this year. A microchip was used in the footballs at last year’s World Club Championship, and four companies are ready to install systems for next summer’s World Cup in Brazil, along with the Confederations Cup in June 2013.
Scottish football has decided that with systems likely to cost at least £100,000, they feel it is an unnecessary expenditure.
John Fleming, the SFA’s head of referee operations told the official SFA website: “Firstly, as an association we are in favour of goal-line technology, and indeed have been heavily involved during the test process as a member of the IFAB.
“However, as the general secretary of FIFA himself, Jerome Valcke, outlined in Edinburgh last week, the installation of each system will cost a six-figure sum on top of any maintenance costs.”
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