FOLLOWING the recent "goal that wasn't" at Highbury, it seems appropriate to state for the record that the vast majority of referees would welcome technology that conclusively proved whether or not a goal had been scored.

There are however, some questions that need answering. Firstly how? Some advocate a sensor in the goal posts and one in the ball. Fine, but could it guarantee all of the ball had truly crossed the goal line? Some prefer a fifth official watching an instant TV replay.

That is fraught with difficulties. When is play stopped? Who will fund the extra official (Nationwide League refs and assistants have had their fees frozen for the last three years). Which games will have the camera present? (It is a tradition of the game that Law changes are applicable at all levels of the game -- Match of the Day at Memorial Park)? But if a solution can be found then let's give it a go. Of course those who would robotise and sterilise the game to death have used these discussions to propose replays of contentious issues such as penalties, send-offs and offsides. My opinion is that the standard of refereeing is higher today than ever before. We are fitter and better trained. The difference is that nowadays every decision is thoroughly scrutinised and hence it has been proved we make mistakes. But then we always did. In the past we merely hoped we'd get away with it. Look. Make your minds up. If you want human beings to run football, accept they will make mistakes.

If you believe the stakes are so high that mistakes must be eliminated then you must accept that each match will last four hours. That American gridiron will seem frenzied in comparison. That a trip to a shopping mall will seem infinitely preferable to Row K Seat 46.

In short VHS will mean BHS!