Goal-line technology gets green light

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