Referees Association President Marcello Nicchi insists goal-line technology in Serie A “would be a waste of money.”
The calls for the technology to be introduced in Italy grew this weekend after a ‘phantom goal’ incident in Milan’s 2-0 win over Udinese.
It has already been used successfully at the World Cup in Brazil and in this season’s Premier League in England.
Referees Association President Marcello Nicchi insists goal-line technology in Serie A “would be a waste of money.”
The calls for the technology to be introduced in Italy grew this weekend after a ‘phantom goal’ incident in Milan’s 2-0 win over Udinese.
It has already been used successfully at the World Cup in Brazil and in this season’s Premier League in England.
“Obviously it’s much easier with technology, but it is not a problem with the referees, it is a problem of utilities and costs,” AIA President Nicchi told GR Parlamento.
“I heard it will cost €250,000 per stadium, which is an absurd sum. I think football should always progress, but when people insist on building controversy over nothing… Yesterday they talked for hours about a goal that was never a goal.
“Since the goal-line referee was introduced, no evaluation has been incorrect on whether a ball crossed the line.”
Even video replays do not entirely clarify the Adil Rami header in Milan–Udinese, although Sky Sport Italia’s technology extrapolated from the available images that a few millimetres of the ball were still level with the line.
British system Hawk-Eye is used in the Premier League and cost each team around £250,000 (€315,000) to install. As many Serie A sides share stadiums, the costs could well be halved between two clubs.
A signal is sent to the referee’s watch telling him within seconds whether the ball has crossed the line or not, while the footage is also shown in big screens in the stadium.
After that same match, Udinese President Giampaolo Pozzo slammed referee Paolo Valeri, calling him “incompetent” and insisting the sport would be better off if he were never allowed to officiate again.
“Pozzo’s words were ugly and disappointing,” replied Nicchi. “As long as you criticise a mistake, that’s fine, but I will not accept personal attacks. Those who sit on their comfortable chairs should think carefully before they speak.”
Nicchi also warned that referees are “close to calling a strike” after another incident of an official being physically attacked during a lower league game in Sardinia.