Via videoconference, the leader of the body governing European football opened the forum for reflection on the sport, organized by the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF), in Cidade do Futebol, in Oeiras, in which he addressed various topics such as concern with playing time, at a time when some are defending, for example reducing a game from 90 to 60 minutes, with time ending when the ball is out.
“That would be a step in the wrong direction. For example, a European basketball game lasts 40 minutes, but it takes three hours. Football is different, you have to play at 40ºC or -5ºC and it would last five hours.”. We should not think about it, but referees should punish more when time is wasted. Stopping time would mean football wouldn’t be football anymore,” he said in the opening session of Football Talks.
Aleksander Ceferin also admitted that technology in football “can be very useful”, but that it should not “replace the human factor at all”, as there are arbitration decisions that vary from person to person.
“The referee on the pitch must always have the last word, because football is live and every situation is different. There are still problems with handball, that is not yet clear. In a conference with the top European coaches we saw such a situation and half said yes and half said no. It’s still a bit complicated. Technology should never replace the human factor, but it can be very helpful,” he said.
Ceferin recalls that at the beginning he also “doubted” about the video referee (VAR), which “proved to be a very good tool with some changes and improvements”, and now pointed to the introduction of the semi-automatic offside, already tested in-game.
“There are many things that can improve the football experience. It is simplistic to say that the new generation is no longer following football. It is not true. There is nothing like a live match in the stadium. Our televisions do more, but football is football and should not be replaced by technology,” emphasized the manager, who has been in charge since 2016.
At the beginning of the conversation, Ceferin also took the opportunity to thank the FPF and Fernando Gomes, president of the federated body, who have “always been part” of the UEFA team, especially in the pandemic period, by two consecutive Champions League organizing competitions. finals, in Lisbon and in Porto, also thanks to the government.
The Football Talks forum will take place between today and Tuesday, in Cidade do Futebol, with a comprehensive program based on topics related to the five strategic pillars identified in the FPF’s 2030 Football Plan: Childhood and Growth, Football for All and All, Quality of Gaming, Engagement and Ecosystem Sustainability.
Source: DN
