CRICKET, rugby and football have their history steeped in the traditions of the 19th and 20th centuries.

To their credit, cricket and rugby have embraced the technology available in this century.

A fourth official not on the pitch, watching the game on TV with playback facilities and a direct link to the match officials has greatly enhanced the playing of games according to its rules and has eliminated human error.

Officials cannot see everything, whereas a "fourth eye" is invaluable.

Sadly football ignores this opportunity. Last Sunday, I was in the Millennium Stadium when Bolton appealed for a late penalty. From my vantage point I did not see the handball. Maybe the referee also failed to see it. A "fourth eye", as I did later on TV, would clearly have seen the handball.

This letter is not a criticism of referees. They can only give what they see. It is a damning indictment of the football authorities who allow the game they govern to be played other than according to its rules.

More than 70,000 people attended the match. By the very nature of sport, half were bound to leave disappointed. It is sad for football they also left feeling cheated.

N. J. Entwistle

Colchester Drive

Farnworth