FIFA planning refereeing overhaul: Blatter

FIFA president Sepp Blatter said Tuesday that world football’s governing body were planning a refereeing revamp as he reiterated his reservations concerning the use of goal-line technology.

“The principle work in football now, I already said it before the World Cup, is refereeing,” Blatter said on the German Football Federation (DFB) website.

“End October-beginning November, we’re going to unveil our project on high level referees. There will be a rejuvenation … I am for professionalisation, even if there are views against.”

He added: “Concerning the help of technical means, it’s more complicated. Every system must be studied in detail with a view to an eventual use.”

Goal-line technology was forced back onto FIFA’s agenda during the World Cup after England’s Frank Lampard had a legitimate goal disallowed, while Mexico were aggrieved when Argentinian striker Carlos Tevez was clearly offside when he scored the first goal.

That incident was made worse when a replay was shown on the big screen at the stadium. Blatter later apologised for both incidents.