Fifa approves goal-line technology

Goal-line technology to be introduced after gaining approval by the International Football Association Board in Zurich.

Fifa has approved goal-line technology after incidents such as Frank Lampard’s disallowed “goal” for England against Germany at the 2010 World Cup
Fifa has approved goal-line technology after incidents such as Frank Lampard’s disallowed “goal” for England against Germany at the 2010 World Cup

Football's world governing body has agreed to allow the introduction of goal-line technology (GLT) that sense whether a ball has crossed the goal line.

The technology will be used at the Club World Cup in Tokyo in December, the Confederation Cup in 2013 and also the World Cup in 2014.

The decision by the International Football Association Board (IFAB) -- custodians of the game's laws -- followed a vote at the Zurich headquarters of FIFA, the international association of football federations on Thursday.
It means footballing authorites around the world can introduce the technology into their competitions, using either the Hawk-Eye or GoalRef systems that have been undergoing tests.

The development comes after FIFA president Sepp Blatter lent his weight to calls for the technology to be introduced after Ukraine was denied an apparent goal against England in the recent Euro 2012 championships, losing 1-0.

The English Premier League said it wanted to introduce the technology "as soon as practically possible."

A statement following IFAB's announcement added: "The Premier League has been a long-term advocate of goal-line technology.

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

FA general secretary Alex Horne said it was up to the Premier League to decide on a timescale for implementation.

But opponents to GLT included UEFA president Michel Platini, who said he preferred the system of five match officials, implemented for the first time at the Ukrainian championships and also agreed on by IFAB at Zurich.

Individual associations may yet decide whether to use the technology in their competitions. That means UEFA could still decide not to implement the system.