MX23RW : Thursday, March 13 00:25:30| >> :120:11750:11750:

Manchester United's Rio Ferdinand against goal-line technology

Ferdinand against goal-line technology
© PA Photos
Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand says that he is against the introduction of goal-line technology.

Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has said that he is against the introduction of goal-line technology.

The Premier League ­will become the world's first domestic division to use a Hawk-Eye system this season.

Hawk-Eye, which has been installed in every top-flight ground, will definitively rule whether or not the ball has entered the goal.

However, Ferdinand is not a fan of introducing technology to make key decisions as he fears that it may put an end to an entertaining debate.

"Change is a word I don't like in football," Ferdinand told The People. "It is such a great sport and we are always trying to find ways to change it. Why? It has great traditions.

"Even goal-line technology, I don't agree with it. Incidents like that add to the game because it runs into radio phone-ins, people talk about it in the pub and in other media. Was it a goal or wasn't it?

"People end up disappointed in those situations, but it is swings and roundabouts."

Ferdinand was on the pitch at Old Trafford when Tottenham Hotspur were controversially denied a late winner in January 2005.

Referee Mark Clattenburg and his assistants failed to notice that Pedro Mendes's long-range shot had crossed the line by almost one metre and the game ended 0-0.

Ferdinand added: "Tottenham scored a goal against us once – it more or less hit the net – but it wasn't given.

"That happens sometimes and you take it on the chin. People are too quick to try to spice up the game. I say leave it as it is."

Tottenham are considered to be one of England's unluckiest sides when it comes to goal-line decisions. In addition to Mendes's disallowed goal, the White Hart Lane outfit have conceded 'ghosts goals' in two separate matches against London rivals Chelsea in the past three seasons.

ID:96667: cacheID:96667:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2920:
Written by
Robert Summerscales
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Luis Suarez
Read Next:
Gerrard: 'I would celebrate hand-ball goal'
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool29217169274270
2Arsenal281510352242855
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest28156745331251
4Chelsea28147753361749
5Manchester CityMan City28145953381547
6Newcastle UnitedNewcastle2814594738947
7Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton28121064640646
8Aston Villa2912984145-445
9Bournemouth28128847341344
10Fulham2811984138342
11Crystal Palace2810993633339
12Brentford28115124844438
13Tottenham HotspurSpurs281041455411434
14Manchester UnitedMan Utd2897123440-634
15Everton2871293135-433
16West Ham UnitedWest Ham2896133248-1633
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2865173857-1923
18Ipswich TownIpswich2838172658-3217
19Leicester CityLeicester2845192562-3717
20Southampton2823232068-489


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!