EURO VISION
Clarke urges clubs to spend UEFA windfall on goal-line technology
KILMARNOCK manager Steve Clarke has called on Premiership clubs to use the £370,000 windfall they each received from UEFA this week to introduce goal-line technology in their grounds.
The cash was delivered to Aberdeen, Rangers, Hibernian, Kilmarnock, Hearts, Motherwell, St Johnstone, Dundee, Hamilton and relegated pair Ross County and Partick Thistle as a result of Celtic’s qualification for the Champions League group stage last season.
That triggered a £4million payment to the SPFL from Europe’s governing body, which was divided equally among the 11 clubs.
But now Clarke wants to see that revenue being invested in the goal-line technology which is used every week in England’s Premier League — and the former West Brom boss believes the SPFL should make it part of the criteria for any club wishing to play in their elite division.
Most managers would prefer to invest the UEFA money in their squads come the January transfer window, but Clarke feels it would be better spent helping Scotland’s under-fire officials.
Last weekend, his team’s winning goal in a 2-1 win at St Mirren came from an Aaron Tshibola header which the home players argued hadn’t crossed the line.
‘After the St Mirren game, I read a lot about “controversial this and controversial that” and how the assistant referee has to be 100-per-cent sure the ball has crossed the line before he gives the goal,’ said Clarke.
‘But, of the two main talking points, the first thing I did when Aaron Tshibola had his header was look towards the assistant ref and he was already 20 yards up the park, heading for the halfway line, which tells you he was 100-per-cent sure.
‘Then the claim was that Simeon Jackson was a yard, a yard-and-ahalf, onside when they had a goal disallowed, but TV replays subsequently proved he was offside. So maybe not so controversial, eh?’
However, Clarke, who this week received a suspended two-match ban for his scathing criticism of the SFA’s appeals panel, stressed the need to get the biggest calls correct.
‘I think it’s important to clarify some issues but also, regarding the goal-no goal argument, there’s technology out there,’ he said.
‘Because of Celtic’s good work in Europe last year, a lot of clubs have been financially rewarded this week. So why not use that money to introduce goal-line technology? They have it in England and it’s very clear — the ball is either over the line or it isn’t. It’s one of the most important decisions in football.
‘I don’t know the cost of bringing it in but it wouldn’t be too far away from the £4m the clubs received this week and the SPFL could make it a stipulation that, to be allowed into the Premiership, every club has to have it installed.
‘Why not use that European bonus to assist the officials in this country and try to help make their life a little easier? Because everyone knows they have the hardest job in football.
‘What a great thing it would be for our match officials if they knew that the watch on his wrist — and his assistants’ — would buzz automatically whenever the ball is over the line.
‘It would be for the good of the game. Our officials are much maligned, so let’s try to help them. I’d happily see that money go towards goal-line technology rather than into my playing budget for that very reason.’
Clarke’s team will move above Celtic into second place with a win or draw at home to Hamilton this afternoon.
Killie’s Eamonn Brophy will be looking to add to the four goals he has already scored this season when he faces his former side and Accies midfielder Darian MacKinnon reckons his ex-teammate has what it takes to make it to the English Premier League.
‘He’s done well with Killie but I think he could go up another level again,’ said MacKinnon.
‘Maybe 18 months more with Killie and he could get himself down south. He could go to the Championship or League One and then progress. He has all the attributes.’