Former Vice Chairman of English side, Arsenal and The Football Association, David Dein, has applauded CAF’s faith and dependence on technology towards the development of the game.
“Technology has come to stay in the game. Everybody is embracing it and CAF (with 54 Member Associations) cannot be left out. I’m very positive technology will help eliminate major errors especially in offside and penalty decisions,” Dein made this remarks on Tuesday, 5 December 2017, during an interaction with CAF staff at the organization’s headquarters in Cairo, Egypt.
He cited the Goal Line Technology and the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) amongst the innovative technologies that will help make errors minimal take, whilst applauding CAF’s decision to experiment VAR from the knockout stages of next year’s Total African Nations Championship (CHAN) Morocco 2018.
Highlighting on a wide range of issues from financial stability, revenue generation, commercial rights, fans participation, youth football through to the development of women’s football, Dein was optimistic the African continent go make inroads and make the game attractive to all sectors of society, whilst urging all to embrace the new ideas related to the growth of the game.
Famed for his position at Arsenal between 1983 and 2007, he also made a presentation on the creation of the Premier League, which has become one of the most commercially viable products in global football, and also discussed opportunities to enhance CAF Club competitions and African leagues amongst others.
CAF General Secretary, Amr Fahmy, commended the experienced administrator on the insightful deliberations, which he believes will impact positively on African football in the not too distant future.
“We are open to learn from the best to make African football better. Our doors are always open for innovative ideas as we aspire to take African football to dizzy heights,” Amr said.
