Levy leading way over technology

Daniel Levy today emerged as a key force behind plans to pressure FIFA into speeding up the introduction of new technology.

The Tottenham chairman will urge his counterparts to support the use of surveillance equipment for goalline decisions at a key meeting of Premier League chairmen in two weeks' time.

Levy's move follows Pedro Mendes's strike against Manchester United on Tuesday, which officials failed to give as a "goal" even though replays showed the ball crossed the line.

The incident prompted renewed calls for FIFA, the game's world governing body, to follow the examples set by rugby and cricket and utilise new technology.

FIFA must give the go-ahead for all major rule changes and so far it has been slow to act on the issue of hi-tech sensors in the posts and ball or video evidence.

Levy hopes that a united front from the Premier League - plus the tapes of Spurs' misfortune - will force FIFA's hand.

Speaking for the club, Spurs secretary John Alexander said: "We hope that the incident will accelerate the process and focus FIFA's mind on it.

"The Premier League chairmen meet in a fortnight and I'm sure it will be up for discussion.

"Our chairman, Daniel Levy, is fully behind the calls for the use of technology and he will no doubt look forward to that debate."

Spurs' players - and head coach Martin Jol - felt hugely aggrieved at being denied a famous win by referee Mark Clattenburg and his assistant Rob Lewis, but showed no serious signs of dissent.

The club's sporting director Frank Arnesen today praised their professionalism.

He said: "I was proud of the way that Martin and our players reacted to a frustrating decision and with the restraint they should during and after the game."