KEIR RADNEDGE REPORTING 

— Michel Platini’s absence, because of family bereavement, may raise a problem for the law-making International Football Association Board when it meets in Bagshot, south-west of London, to consider whether or how to progress moves towards the introduction of goal-line technology.

World Cup 2010: Frank Lampard's goal that wasn't

The board comprises four representatives from FIFA and one each from the four British home associations and a positive decisions needs a minimum six votes.

FIFA president Sepp Blatter has been a reluctant convert to GLT ever since the enormous international embarrassment of England’s Frank Lampard having been disallowed a clear ‘goal’ in the 2010 World Cup second round tie against Germany.

However Platini is firmly opposed to GLT and is a strong proponent of the system of two extra goal-line assistants – a system being tested in the major European international competitions.

IFAB is today reviewed results of tests of eight GLT systems and is being asked to produce a shortlist ahead of a final decision in July. However Platini’s absence may, in a conservative body’s consideration, raise some concern about due process.

Blatter said: “We don’t want a repeat of last World Cup. I think I can convince the IFAB board that we must go forward with technology, we cannot afford to just wait and see what happens. Platini doesn’t want it but I wouldn’t be again in a World Cup and witness another situation – I would die.”

The IFAB will also be asked to drop a ban on Muslim women players wearing headscarves, ease a regulation imposing an automatic red card for denying a goal-scoring opportunity and permitting a fourth substitute in matcehs which go to extra time.