The match between Ukraine and England in the Euro 2012 championships will go down in the history books as yet another example of how football has remained behind other sport disciplines in terms of technology. Ukraine scored an equaliser but the goal was not given because the line-judge did not see the ball cross the line.

Uefa President Michel Platini remains adamant that goal-line technology is not the solution to resolve such situations, a position that is directly opposite to the one taken by Fifa President Sepp Blatter who is calling for football to take the step forward. This is set to lead to some kind of battle between the European organisation and the world association.

But Platini should be more careful on what to say on other matters. His statement that he would like to see a Germany-Spain final on 1 July is unbecoming of a person who occupies the highest position in European football.

The Uefa President should be and must be seen as totally impartial to what goes on in the field of play, and comments such as these could only generate more harm to the game. Platini should have kept these thoughts to himself, given his position. It is unfair on other nations that are still in the competition.

If Germany and Spain make it to the final but do so following controversial decisions that favour them, Platini’s words could come back to haunt him. Platini must remember that he is not a “normal” supporter or football enthusiast, but that he holds a position that should be seen to be above personal wishes.

Going back to the Ukraine goal not awarded against England, it is high time that the football world does something to resolve the issue once and for all. Having a line-judge is not enough, as could be seen from what happened last Tuesday.

Other sport disciplines have introduced technology that helps the referee in taking the more important decisions based on what really happened, and not on perceptions. It is only fair that if a ball crosses the line it is given as a goal, and if it did not, play should be waved on.

There are other ways that could be looked into. Some years ago it was suggested that teams should have the opportunity to stop play three times during the course of a game to dispute a referee’s call, but the idea was discarded.

What is sure is that football must find a way out of this.