UEFA to continue with assistant referees, not goal-line technology

By Danielle Joynson, Staff Reporter | 12 July 2012

UEFA decide against introducing goal-line technology into the Champions League, Europa League and Super Cup but will keep additional assistant referees during matches.

UEFA have announced that they will not be opting to implement goal-line technology in football's European competitions.

The new systems Hawk-Eye and GoalRef were given the green light by the International Football Association Board last week, which could see the Premier League use the technology as early as the upcoming season.

UEFA president Michel Platini has been openly against technology within the game and has no plans to introduce it in the Champions League, Europa League or Super Cup.

A statement on the European governing body's website said: "The additional assistant referees provide two extra pairs of eyes to monitor the game and ensure that the Laws of the Game are upheld.

"They inform the referee of incidents of any kind that he may otherwise have missed, particularly in key areas of the field like the penalty area and its surroundings. The referee will remain in sole charge of the match, and the only match official with decision-making powers."

Meanwhile, FIFA president Sepp Blatter has expressed his full support of the new systems.