LONDON - Managers Alex Ferguson and Martin Jol led calls for video technology to help soccer officials after a linesman's huge blunder deprived Tottenham Hotspur of a match-winning goal against Manchester United today.
With the teams level at 0-0 in the final minute, United goalkeeper Roy Carroll dropped the ball a metre over his own line and, after he had scrambled it away, the referee waved play on because linesman Ray Lewis failed to spot the incident.
Tottenham's Jol described the situation as a disgrace, though he refused to blame the officials.
"I can understand it but it's still a disgrace if you are playing football in 2005 and there is so much technology in the world," he told Sky Sports. "It is time to use the technology."
United's Ferguson said the incident should speed up the introduction of video equipment to help officiate matches.
"It just adds weight to the point about technology being brought in," Ferguson said.
"I don't think you can blame the referee or the linesman because I wasn't sure myself that the ball had crossed the line. It looked like it had but I wasn't dead sure.
"I have always been against videos because of the fact it takes too long but I think you can make most decisions within 30 seconds which is about the time it takes to take most goal kicks."
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger also joined the debate following his team's 1-1 draw with Manchester City at Highbury.
"The whole country knows it was a goal, except the referee," Wenger told reporters. "It only re-enforces what I think should be done -- video evidence."
- REUTERS
Soccer: Managers demand technology after linesman's blunder
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