JAAP STAM says it is time for football to start using more video technology.
The issue came to the forefront on Tuesday night during an international friendly between France and Spain, where one goal was awarded and one disallowed after consultation with the video referee.
Goal-line technology has been in force in the Premier League since 2013 and it has recently been announced that the same system will be available in the Championship from next season.
And the Reading boss is in favour of providing help for the officials.
“I think you need to have it,” said Stam.
“I think it’s very important.
“If you look at the importance of the games and what’s at stake nowadays, the pace of the game as well, it goes quicker and quicker. It’s very hard for a referee to make a decision in a split second.
“I think it’s a very useful tool to have.”
So far it is just goals which are judged by the video referee, with more technology as well as that used on the goal-lines set to come in for FA Cup games in the 2017/18 campaign as the trial continues.
But Stam says the authorities should consider widening the net about what is reviewed.
“I think it should be for offsides sometimes, with goals of course but even sometimes with free-kicks and penalties,” he said.
“It doesn’t need to take long.
He continued: “The referee can make a decision that he’s going to stop the game and within 10 seconds you can make the decision.
“It’s not about stopping the game continuously. It’s about if the referee is not certain about a certain decision then you stop the play and he goes to the fourth official.
“He’s there anyway so he’s got an extra job now as well to do.
“They can help each other out, it’s easier for the referee and you get less decisions about certain decisions.”
