Goalline technology could be in place by end of 2012 after historic decision

By Andrew Warshaw in Bagshot

March 3 – After years of foot-dragging, goalline technology moved a vital step forward today, with FIFA even suggesting it could be introduced before the end of this year.

Despite opposition from the likes of UEFA President Michel Platini, football’s lawmakers approved “optional rather than obligatory” scientific aids to determine whether the ball has crossed the line, with the final green light almost certain to be given at a specially arranged follow-up meeting the day after this summer’s European Championship final.

At its annual meeting, held at an exclusive hotel and spa complex in Surrey, England, the International Football Association Board (IFAB) approved final tests on two systems to make sure they are foolproof: British company Hawkeye – widely used already in cricket and tennis – and GoalRef, a German-Danish firm. Six other systems were deemed too unreliable.

FIFA President Sepp Blatter has been a reluctant convert to technology ever since the international outcry over Frank Lampard’s “non-goal” in the 2010 World Cup against Germany (pictured)

Others like Platini and Germany’s Franz Beckenbauer, who heads FIFA’s Task Force on ways of improving the game, favour the alternative system of two extra goal-line assistants but their protests about reducing the human element of the beautiful game now seem likely to fall on deaf ears.

If and when implemented, a private signal will be sent to the referee within a second of the ball crossing the line, a key factor in implementation.

While most leagues are unlikely to introduce technology before the 2013-2014 season, FIFA could have it in place for the Club World Cup in Japan in December – and definitely in time for next year’s Confederations Cup, the World Cup warmup event.

“If it is approved on July 2, then there is nothing to stop it being used on July 3, but in reality, the first FIFA competition it might be used at would be the Club World Cup finals in Japan in December,” said FIFA general secretary Jerome Valcke (pictured below second left).

A number of issues remain to be settled including future licensing agreements, the costs involved and to what playing level the systems can be used.

The system used by Hawk-Eye, which is used in tennis and cricket, is camera based while GoalRef uses a magnetic field.

“We absolutely expect that, provided one or more fulfil the critera and are shown to be robust and reliable in terms of accuracy, that we will be passing it into the Laws on July 2 when when we meet again in Kiev,” said English Football Association general secretary Alex Horne (pictured above centre).

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