Eriksson backs video replays

Eriksson is behind the idea of video referees

England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson has backed the use of video replays to help referees.

The Swede said he believes it is time to use the technology available to decide crucial decisions on the pitch.

"It is time to ask technology for help," he said at a Uefa summit of national coaches in Poland.

"If the referee wants help, he should have the option to go to the touchline and look at the review during the game, especially if it is happening inside the penalty box.

I think we could enjoy football in the future played the same way as it is today

Pierluigi Collina

"Surely, when the referee blows for a penalty or not, he cannot be 100% certain every time.

"And when he's not sure, why not go out there (to the replay)? It would take 30 seconds."

Wenger wants video refs

But Eriksson's comments were not welcomed by respected Italian referee Pierluigi Collina, who took charge of the World Cup final in June.

"Football is a nice sport played with the same rules for a long time and I think we could enjoy football in the future played the same way as it is today," he said.

Collina's scepticism was echoed by Michal Listkiewicz, a former international referee and now head of the Polish football association.

Collina is happy with things as they are

Listkiewicz said: "This (replays) would not be realistic, the game would last not two but five hours. Also, who would decide which situations to review and which not to?"

Collina, who this year was voted the top referee in the world for the fourth time, also came out against the idea of a second referee on the pitch.

"We tried it in Italy in the Italian Cup three or four years ago and it was not a good idea. That is why we didn't implement it," said Collina.

Officials said Uefa is unlikely to adopt any policies at the meeting which concentrated on tactical analysis of the World Cup ahead of the 2004 European Championship in Portugal.

Coaches back break plan