Coleman Wants Video Technology

Last updated : 20 March 2010 By Covsupport News Service

Coventry City manager Chris Coleman has called for video replays to be introudced.

The City boss, like the supporters was left fuming by the handball decisions which cost the Sky Blues on Tuesday night against Cardiff City.

Speaking to the CT's Alan Poole, Coleman said: "We sit down with the authorities every July to see how we're going to go forward and improve the game. I've been doing that for five years and I haven't seen any improvement - we're toying with it, scratching the surface.

"You can have as many meetings as you like, but until somebody at the top takes it seriously, nothing will happen. It is no good talking about it, you've got to do something about it.

"What disappoints me is that a month ago, Sepp Blatter said no to video analysis on things like that. And I think that's a Neanderthal way of thinking.

"I can't see why they object to video analysis. "When I was at Fulham, I has a monitor and it used to take me about eight seconds to get a play back. "We played a game the other month where the fourth official signalled four minutes and we ended up playing seven and a half. So what's an extra ten seconds?

"All the real business happens in the two penalty areas and for those key moments we should have playbacks to prove whether it was a goal or a penalty or whatever.

"Video analysis doesn't put more pressure on referees, it takes it off them. Nine times out of ten when I looked at the monitor it stopped me from having a go at the referee because he was proved right.

"Rugby's got it, cricket's got it, tennis has got it but football hasn't and we are bigger than all those sports, its bananas!

"I watched the Europa Cup match this week when they had officials behind the goal - well- they call them officials but they were more like spectators because I don't think they made one decision.

"There were all sorts of pushing and pulling going on in the box at corners but not one of them was called so what's that all about.

"It's time they pulled their finger out and looked at this - but it won't happen. "I'm betting that this time next season, some other manager will be saying exactly the same thing - 'why haven't we got video analysis in place?'

"I can't absolutely guarantee that, so I just hope and pray that it isn't us again - or if it is we come out smiling. I have always believed that luck evens itself up over time but I think we're overdue some now."