Shrewsbury Town boss Paul Simpson today threw his weight behind the campaign to introduce video technology into football.

The long-standing debate re-surfaced this week following France’s controversial winning goal against the Republic of Ireland in the World Cup play-off.

Thierry Henry’s handball in the build-up to the extra-time header from William Gallas has brought worldwide condemnation.

And Simpson believes the time has come for officials to receive extra assistance.

“I think most people in football are for video technology but FIFA are stopping it, I’m not sure why,” said the Town boss.

“It has been brought into tennis, rugby, cricket and not disrupted the flow of those sports.

“People say that Ireland should have taken their chances during the game – but without that goal they would have still gone to penalties and had their opportunity there.”

Simpson admitted it was difficult to know where the limits for video technology should be set.

“Some say it should just be to see if the ball has crossed the goalline but that wouldn’t have prevented what happened on Wednesday night,” he added.

“Another possibility is it could just be used for incidents inside the 18-yard box. It’s so difficult to know how far it should go.

“My job is to do my best for Shrewsbury Town so I will leave that one to Sepp Blatter (FIFA President) and Michel Platini (UEFA President)!”

Simpson, however, believes calls for the France-Ireland clash to be re-played should not be heeded.

“I really feel gutted for Ireland,” he added. “Alan Kelly is a good friend of mine and he’s the goalkeeping coach, I played with Robbie Keane (at Wolves) and worked with Sean St Ledger at Preston.

“But my honest opinion is to replay the game now would set a very dangerous precedent for football.”

l Former Shrewsbury midfielder Joss Labadie has joined Cheltenham on a month’s loan from West Bromwich Albion.

Labadie was sent back to the Baggies in the wake of the FA Cup defeat to Staines, with Simpson admitting he had been disappointed with his attitude in recent weeks.