"Goal-line technology will add ‘magic’ to football" - Frank Lampard

Frank Lampard insists goal-line technology will add ‘magic’ to football as it enters a new era.

Chelsea today become the first English club to play a competitive match where hi-tech equipment will be used to detect if the ball fully crosses the line.

They take on Mexicans Monterrey in the Club World Cup — where the GoalRef system is being trailed — with Brazilians Corinthians waiting in the final after their 1-0 win over Egyptians Al-Ahly.


Lampard rocketed to the heart of the debate over the use of the controversial equipment after his legitimate goal for England against Germany at the 2010 World Cup was wrongly ruled out.

And he said: “It’s too important an issue to let it go any more. It’s a no-brainer to bring it in and make the calls correctly. 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, whether it goes for or against your team. And it will clarify what has happened to everyone — and it will be pretty exciting. It’s been a long time coming.

“We’re all well aware, not just of my goal or non-goal but especially of so many crucial goals over the last few seasons in club and international football.

“It’s not 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.

“Whether it’s close or not, asking the human eye to make that quick decision isn’t always possible. We need to get it. With the business we’re in, it’s too crucial.”

The use of technology has sparked heated debate with UEFA chief Michel Platini firmly in the ‘No’ camp. He believes it will undermine the officials’ authority but FIFA boss Sepp Blatter was prompted to introduce the trial following Lampard’s ‘ghost’ goal.

And Stamford Bridge midfielder Lampard admits he cannot completely forget the incident in the 4-1 defeat to the Germans which ended England’s campaign.

He said: “It’s not painful any more. It was painful that summer but I’ve moved on. But it still catches the nerves a bit when I see it.

“It’s a very big decision and so it’s fair enough for people to have a good look at it.

“Maybe we could’ve looked at a trial a year or two ago to push it through quicker. I understand Platini is trying to evolve the game rather than bring in drastic changes. That’s his prerogative.

“But for me you need to respect the referee with every decision. We’re asking for a clear decision on goals, which is the most important part of the game.

“With the speed of the game at this level you can’t ask any human to make that call correctly every time.

“But it should stop with this, with goal-line decisions. It’s very simple. If you tried to use it everywhere then Platini would be right. On this one I very much think it should be brought in.”

Chelsea have trained with the special new balls, which contain copper coils, all week in preparation for today’s groundbreaking match.

And defender Gary Cahill said: “The ones we have been training with feel harder. They have felt more solid. But we have been training with them the last few days so we are used to them.”

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