As FIFA holds an extraordinary general meeting next Thursday in Cape Town, South Africa with the introduction of technology to assist referees in decision-making likely to be high on the agenda, two Botswana soccer figures have warned that the matter must be approached with caution. Staff Writer, FREDERICK KEBADIRETSE reports

Retired FIFA referee, Harris Lebotse has said that if FIFA embraces the use of technology in soccer, it should be implemented carefully so that it does not take away the excitement from the game. He said the downside of using video footage is that it will remove the human element and excitement from the game. "It should be looked at carefully so as not to take away the excitement," Lebotse said. He called for proper guidelines on how and when to use video footage to avoid problems caused by frequent stoppages during the game.

The former Botswana referees' chief said modern technology can go a long way in alleviating errors made by match officials. "Referees are human and are bound to make mistakes and I think technology will help here," he said. He stated that soccer is big business these days and clubs can lose a lot of money just because of an error by referees. Extension Gunners' coach, Daniel 'Chico' Nare holds a different view on the subject. Nare said he is against the use of video replays because it is going to kill the excitement in the game. He said decision-making should be left to referees as the errors they sometimes commit adds to the excitement of the game. He suggested a referees' panel to analyse games and mistakes made by officials so that they can improve. He said this will benefit teams as some wrong decisions, like unjustified player bookings will be reversed.

At the Cape Town meeting, Ireland's controversial loss to France in the World Cup qualifiers play-offs last week is likely to be top of the agenda. France qualified for the World through a late equaliser that came when captain Thierry Henry handled the ball in the box before setting-up defender William Gallas to nod home. The goal left the Irish in pain and agony and ignited fresh calls for technology to be used to aid referees in making decisions. FIFA president, Joseph Sepp Blatter has repeatedly said they do not want to 'spoil' the game by using modern technology too much. "We acknowledge technology, but the issue is to make sure the technology does not undermine the officials or rules of the game," he said previously.

A FIFA statement has said the Cape Town meeting will discuss pressing matters in world football, including the Ireland-France game, irregularities in the football betting market revealed by the German police and soccer officiating issues. Despite FIFA's call for calm, saying there is no need to 'hold breaths' prior to the meeting, some people already think the world soccer governing body has ultimately succumbed to pressure and will allow the use of video replays before the 2010 World Cup.

Pundits have been calling on FIFA to swallow its pride and emulate other sports like rugby and tennis, which use technology to aid match officials in making decisions.