Arsenal Boss Arsene Wenger Calls For Video Technology In Football

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger feels that the furore following France's controversial victory over the Republic of Ireland this week shows just how serious the need for technology in football has become.

The Frenchman shares the discomfort of many of his countrymen with the way in which Thierry Henry's handball helped Les Bleus reach next summer's World Cup finals.

However, rather then pointing the finger at individuals he feels the situation now demonstrates just how much match officials need the help that cameras can provide.

"Football accepts that a billion people see it, one guy doesn't see it and it is the one who prevails. It cannot work," he told ArsenalTV.

"We cannot accept that an obvious decision is wrong because we do not want to give ourselves all the needed help we can have in the modern game.

"Being at the game, I saw the referee giving a goal knowing that something was wrong and that is really sad.

"He didn't see it, I can understand, the linesman didn't see it, but they couldn't get any help.

"In the end, he gave a goal, already knowing that it wasn't a goal. We cannot accept that in our sport and you have to do something about it."

Wenger thinks that the reaction of the Irish team showed just how grave referee Martin Hansson's error was.

"For two reasons; first of all Henry didn't celebrate at the start, that gives an indication to the referee, but spontaneously 11 Irish players came to see the referee," he added.

"That doesn't happen if it's not something obvious. You have two, three or four but not 11 and that convinced him to go and see the linesman as well and say 'Listen, I didn't see what happened, can you help me?'

"The linesman as well didn't see it, then what could help him is somebody outside, the fourth official.

"In my opinion the referee should keep control of the game, but when he wants help he has that resource available," he said.

"We cannot sort out all the cases but we have to sort out as many cases as we can.

"For the sense of justice it is quite embarrassing to see. I think even France is embarrassed.

"We didn't play well at all and we won the game and won the qualification with a goal that was not a goal."