Goal-line technology gets Webb's support

Rotherham official Webb, who this summer became the first Englishman to take charge of a World Cup final for 36 years, has previously offered cautious support for it to be brought in.

He has now argued more strongly for its use, revealing: "It's got to be worth looking at to make our job on those really crucial decisions that bit easier.

"I don't think you'll find many referees who say, 'It's not something we want'.

"It's a matter of fact whether or not all of the ball has crossed all of the goal-line between the posts and under the crossbar. Bear in mind that's the entire aim of the sport, to score a goal.

"If we were to have some support – some assistance that was totally accurate and totally reliable and instantaneous – then I guess it's got to be worth looking at."

Having previously ruled out using goal-line technology, FIFA reopened their investigations into it in the wake of Frank Lampard's disallowed 'goal' for England against Germany at the World Cup. The International Football Association Board – the body that determines the laws of the game – will report to FIFA in March after a period of testing different systems.

Webb added: "We sit here in 2010 and other sports have embraced certain types of technology. Football hasn't – but that tells me that's because it's really difficult, without changing the basic way the game is played.

"That's the fear, which I understand."