Mowbray Unsure About Benefits of Extra Officials as UEFA Experiment Commences.

Last updated : 16 September 2009 By Clydebuilt
Ironically UEFA's decision to trial the use of extra match officials behind each goal during the Europa league games came in the wake of the Eduardo incident. Now after the cheating Croation has had his two-match ban rescinded Celtic will be one of the intial teams to be involved in this experiment.

However Tony Mowbray is unsure of the benefits of any new system.

"Let's hope we don't realise the extra assistants are there," the manager said.

"I'd like to think the referee will make the decisions, not the guys behind the goal. But I think it is a pertinent question, there is a danger that sometimes they might feel as if they need to get involved, get their flag up and make the referee aware of something.

"I just want to see how it works, to be fair. Holding goes on in every game, it will be interesting to see how those officials look at that.

"Will they be continually moving behind the goal? I suggest they will be no closer to the action than the referee.

"But I'm hoping that nobody sees them and nobody notices them.

"It's a Uefa experiment and we all want right decisions.

"At the weekend, if an official behind the goal had seen a handball in our game against Dundee United, then he might have given us a penalty in the last minute but whether it works for you or against you, you hope that correct decisions are made."

Acting Captain Gary Caldwell stated that he was unaware that this trial was actually about to happen, and then he joked that he will have to be on his best behaviour given the extra level of scrutiny afforded by the two extra pairs of eyes.

"I didn't know that, think defenders will have to keep their hands to themselves if there are six officials.

"Seriously, anything that can help the game move forward, you have to give it a go and see if it works.

"You just play the game and if there are more people watching you, I'm sure you will get caught for some of the things that you didn't get caught for in the past."

I don't know about that Gary, It appears that every time you do things you get caught.

Ps Arsenal are two down at half time. Get it up you Eduardo!

Yours in Celtic

Clydebuilt