UEFA chief Platini pleads for additional referees

UEFA President French Michel Platini delivers his speech during UEFA congress in Zagreb, Croatia. Platini Thursday repeated his support for the introduction of two additional assistant referees, positions he said could be taken by referees obliged to retire aged 45.

UEFA chief Michel Platini Thursday repeated his support for the introduction of two additional assistant referees, positions he said could be taken by referees obliged to retire aged 45.

"There will be trials this year, notably in Chile, regarding participation of two additional assistant referees who would be 'penalty area' referees," Platini told journalists.

Platini had already announced in November that the matches with five referees could be tried in 2008 during FIFA matches of U-21 teams.

"I believe that three referees is today obsolete," estimated Platini, who spoke after a UEFA meeting in Zagreb.

With five referees "we will always have two or three who will be close to the action to see what is going on and make a good decision," Platini said.

"In this way a lot of controversial situations regarding referees could be solved," stressed Platini, who opposes the introduction of video replays.

According to Platini, the new referees could comprise those who have "real experience" and who had to retire at the age of 45 according to FIFA rules.