Platini happy with five officials at matches

UEFA president Michel Platini stressed Sunday that he is happy with five officials overseeing football matches and is not favourable to the use of video replays in the decision-making process.

Platini, speaking on TF1’s Telefoot programme, said he was “completely” satisfied with the system of five officials, tried this season in the Champions League after debuting in the Europa League last season.

“It’s an evolution,” Platini said. “For 125 years, there wasn’t any evolution in refereeing. I’m trying to evolve it in a human way.

“And for those who don’t like technology, I’d like to say one thing: the rule of football is that the referee in the middle of the pitch makes the decisions on football and not some bloke in a television control room.

“I’m still against the use of video,” he said.

Referees officiating in the Champions League and Europa League this season are aided by four assistants – two running the line and one observing each penalty area.