Goal-line technology could be introduced mid-next season, says Premier League chief

By Andrew Warshaw

May 16 – Goal-line technology could be used in the Premier League halfway through next season if approved on July 2, according to Richard Scudamore, England’s top flight chief executive.

The International Football Association Board (IFAB), the game’s lawmaking body, is to rule on that date whether to finally bring in technology after years of debate and controversial incidents.

IFAB and FIFA officials have consistently indicated that bringing in electronic aids for referees would not be practical in mid-season, or possible time-wise, but Scudamore said: “The original position was that we would only introduce it at the beginning of a season, but having thought it all through there is some possibility of introducing it mid-season if we get it right.”

Scudamore was speaking on the eve of the Hawk-Eye system being used for the first time in a live game during a local non-league cup final at Southampton’s St Mary’s Stadium tonight.

The match is an important part of the final phase of testing but no decision will be made until the IFAB special meeting in Kiev the day after the final of the 2012 European Championship.

Hawk-Eye (cameras pictured above) is vying with the German/Danish GoalRef system and Scudamore added: “When we are ready to go, we can go with it.

“The fact we have got a better way of detecting it means there is some possibility of introducing it mid-season if we get it right.”

Meanwhile, FIFA confirmed that the first two live matches in which GoalRef will be tested are two Danish Superligaen matches.

The first game will be on Sunday (May 20) when Silkeborg IF play host to SønderjyskE, the second is between FC Nordsjælland and AC Horsens and falls on the final day of the season the following Wednesday (May 23).

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