IFAB approve goal-line technology

Football’s law-making panel gives the nod to both Hawk-Eye and GoalRef technology systems ending a decade of debate.

Sepp Blatter
Blatter has backed goal-line technology after England were denied a clear goal by midfielder Frank Lampard against Germany in the World Cup 2010 [Reuters]

After a decade of debate goal-line technology was given the go-ahead on Thursday when the International Football Association Board (IFAB) voted to approve both the Hawk-Eye and the GoalRef systems for immediate use in matches.

Football’s law-making panel reached the decision after reviewing the results of extensive testing of the technology and the decision clears FIFA to use it at the 2014 World Cup.

Two years after Sepp Blatter reversed his opposition to high-tech aids for referees, the FIFA president agreed that the two systems passed trials proving they can accurately judge when balls cross the goal line.

Hawk-Eye is a British camera-based system already used in tennis and cricket. GoalRef is a Danish-German project using magnetic sensors to track a special ball.

The IFAB panel comprises FIFA and the four British football associations.

The English Premier League released a statement saying it had been a long term advocate of goal-line technology.

“We welcome today’s decision by IFAB and will engage in discussions with both Hawkeye and GoalRef in the near future with a view to introducing goal-line technology as soon as is practically possible.”

More to follow

 

 

 

Source: News Agencies