Goal-line technology gets green light

05 July 2012 18:17

Goal-line technology has been approved as part of the laws of football in an historic decision by the International FA Board (IFAB).

Two systems, Hawk-Eye and GoalRef, have been approved by the IFAB after passing a series of scientific tests. Technology could be introduced into the Premier League as soon as the new year following the decision at a meeting in Zurich.

FIFA general secretary Jerome Valcke said they intended to bring goal-line technology in for the Club World Cup in Japan in December, next year's Confederations Cup and the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

Valcke said FIFA would pay for the systems - around 250,000 US dollars per stadium - and leave them in place in the stadiums.

FA general secretary Alex Horne told a news conference in Zurich it was "a hugely important day" for football.

He said: "We believe that it is a great day for football. From an English perspective today is a hugely important day, it is a cause we have had on our agenda for a number of years. This is about having the right technology helping the referee in a relatively rare occurrence - the scoring of a goal."

The Premier League have vowed to bring in the technology "as soon is practically possible" following the landmark decision.

"The Premier League has been a long term advocate of goal-line technology," a statement read.

"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 ."

Source: PA