The goal that Milan scored against Juventus last Saturday – and which was not allowed because the assistant referee did not see the ball go in, although it had surpassed the line by at least half a metre – has once again stirred a debate on goal-line technology.

This discussion has been raging for decades. One famous episode is a goal awarded to England in the 1966 World Cup final against Germany, when the ball had seemingly not crossed the line. More recently, the roles were reversed as an England goal against the same Germany in the 2010 World Cup was not awarded.

There have been other incidents in the same vein, and each time the football authorities procrastinate on taking a decision. Other sport disciplines, such as rugby and tennis, have introduced technology to aid referees in making up their mind when they have doubts. Football, on the other hand, has not made the step in this direction.

Other means have been tried, such as having two extra line judges. But these are used in a few of the competitions being held, such as the Champions League. Domestic competitions still do not have this luxury.

It is unfortunate that these incidents still happen in this day and age. It must be remembered that football is business, and an episode such as that at the San Siro stadium last Saturday could sway the championship one way or the other, given that the two teams currently occupy the top two places in the league.

Naturally, the Muntari goal-non-goal raised other issues in the suspicious nation, gripped as it has been for so many times in scandals related to the game. Juventus were accused of raising the stakes by complaining about refereeing decisions that had gone against them in previous games, adding pressure on the officials. The three-match suspension of Milan striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic on the eve of the game did not help reduce the tension.

But the crucial point is that FIFA should come up with a solution to the problem. It is known that the English Football Association is working on the introduction of goal-line technology as from the coming season, but there should be a global consensus on having such means to determine situations as those that happened in Milan last week.