Frank Lampard relishing goal-line technology prospect

Frank Lampard insists goal-line technology will “add magic” to football and ensure the game is better for everyone.

Lampard’s “goal that never was” against Germany in Bloemfontein at the 2010 World Cup finally forced FIFA chief Sepp Blatter to open the way to taking the biggest decision in the game out of the hands of fallible officials.

Chelsea will become the first English team to play with the technology in place when the Danish-German Goalref system, using magnets to detect the chip inside the ball, is deployed for Thursday's Club World Cup semi against Monterrey here in Japan.

If the ball crosses the line, the referee will be informed within 0.3 seconds, and for Lampard the decision is a “no-brainer”.

The midfielder, whose disallowed goal would have made the score 2-2 just before half-time in a game England instead ended up chasing and lost 4-1, said: “It’s too important an issue to let it go any more.

“I don’t think it’s about my personal role. Of course, it was such a high-profile game in the World Cup, England against Germany and such a blatant case of the ball crossing the line.

“It made everybody sit up and take notice a bit.

"Asking the human eye to make that quick decision isn’t always possible. It’s too crucial.”

Lampard, and Chelsea, also benefitted from a goal-line error in last season's FA Cup semi against Spurs when Juan Mata was deemed to have scored although replays showed the ball did not go in.

The given goal put Chelsea 2-0 up on the way to a 5-1 win, and weeks later beat Liverpool in the final.

UEFA president Michel Platini remains a fierce opponent arguing that introducing technology will undermine officials and damage the game.

But Lampard was unequivocal.

He added: “I don’t think anybody feels like that. I understand Platini is trying to evolve the game rather than bring in drastic changes. That’s his prerogative.

“We’re asking for a clear decision on goals, which is the most important part of the game.

“I think it will add magic.

"I’m a big cricket fan and it’s added magic to cricket. We all want calls to be 100 per cent right. It will clarify what has happened to everyone - and it will be pretty exciting.”

For now only the referee will be informed if a goal has been scored although graphic illustrations - for use inside the stadium or by broadcasters - will be available once FIFA gives the green light.

FIFA are trialling both Goalref and the camera based Hawkeye system used in cricket and tennis.

“I can’t say we would’ve won [against Germany], but certainly it would’ve been a different game,” he recalled.

“We talk about an emphatic defeat but if it had been 2-2 at half-time we would’ve had the momentum and we could’ve played without having to chase another goal straight away.

“It’s not painful any more. It was painful that summer, but football changes. I’ve moved on.

"It still catches the nerves a bit when I see it but I can’t dwell on that. It’s time to do it.”

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Source: DailyMirror