Gerrard Bring in Technology

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England’s World Cup captain Steven Gerrard has called for goal-line technology to be introduced to football.

The Three Lions were victims of a questionable decision in their last-16 encounter against Germany in South Africa when a potential equaliser from Frank Lampard was disallowed despite clearly crossing the line.

Uefa experimented with extra officials behind the goals during the Europa League and, after experiencing that system with Liverpool, Gerrard believes a similar strategy should have been employed at the World Cup.

Success

“It was a success then,” Gerrard told The Mail on Sunday. “Why not use the same system at the World Cup?

“If there had been a linesman behind the German goal then maybe England would still be in the World Cup.”

The Reds skipper also feels that players should have a larger influence in changes made to the rules.

“When these decisions are made they are always made by officials,” he said. “They don’t play the game, do they?

“The decision not to award Frank’s goal was a shocker.

“I was 25 yards out and I could see clearly that it was over the line, so I can’t understand why the linesman didn’t give it.

“He was a good 20 yards behind play, which is disappointing at this level, and I hope it opens the debate up again about goal-line technology.

“Fifa have to look at it now because what happened with us was scary. It just isn’t good enough.

“My opinion is that goal-line technology should be brought in and I know I’m not alone in thinking that.

Decision

“We have seen a lot of rule changes over the years – most of them good – but I can’t understand why there is so much opposition to this technology because we are talking about decisions that can decide things as big as the World Cup.

“What will happen is the decision will be made by people who don’t play the game and who aren’t affected by these mistakes.

“Why aren’t the players ever asked? I’m sure that most of them would vote for goal-line technology to be introduced.”