In what is seen as a landmark decision, the UEFA Executive Committee approved the use of Goal-Line Technology for the Euro 2016 finals to be held in France this summer. The committee had its first meeting of 2016 at the House of European Football in Nyon – famous for the venue of all UEFA Euro, UCL and Europa League draws.
The technology will also be used in the Champions League for the 2016/17 season, and it will be implemented from the playoff stages itself. According to UEFA, the system will be installed at all venues but they will continue to have assistant referees near the goal.
The assistant referees will not only monitor everything that takes place inside the box to help the referee make decisoins but also make calls on potential goal/no-goal decisions. The company that will supply the equipment and technology has not yet been announced but will be in the near future.
While Goal-Line Technology for Euro 2016 and Champions League were confirmed, they have not yet taken a decision on the Europa League. However, they will look to implement it in the group stages of the 2017/18 season of the Europa League.
The technology has already been in use in the Premier League and has already helped refereed make important and informed decisions.
UEFA back Gianni Infantino for FIFA president
With the FIFA presidential election around the corner, UEFA also backed Gianni Infantino in the race. Infantino is most famous among football fans for hosting the draws for Euro, Champions League and the Europa League.
Since UEFA president Michel Platini has been banned from FIFA along with incumbent FIFA President Sepp Blatter, Infantino was the unanimous choice to lead the candidature for the European countries. Sinc 2009, Infantino has been holding the post of general secretary of UEFA. He is a lawyer of Swiss origin and speaks many languages, evident from how he comfortably talks with club officials from various countries in their native language.
However, they decided not to hold a UEFA presidential election until Platini’s name was cleared. Although the Frenchman received an eight-year ban from all football related activities, the organization is waiting for the result of the appeal before taking a decision.
“The Uefa executive committee decided there will be no Uefa presidential election scheduled until the sports justice appeal bodies, including potentially the Court of Arbitration for Sport, have taken a decision regarding Michel Platini's suspension.
“We hope his name is cleared and that he can return to the European football family as quickly as possible.” – UEFA
