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Technology systems to be tested

Stray dogs and players' tights will also be on the agenda of the International Football Association Board on March 5 but technology will doubtless command the fullest attention after the issue was revived during last year's World Cup.

The IFAB had dismissed the use of goal-line systems one year ago but the debate was re-ignited by England's disallowed goal in the World Cup second round match against Germany, when replays showed the ball clearly over the line.

The meeting's agenda includes seven relatively minor proposals for rule changes, ranging from the colour of players' tights to the unlikely event of the ball bursting when a penalty is being taken.

The law governing players' kit currently states that "if undershorts are worn, they must be of the same main colour as the shorts".

The new version inserts the word "tights" after undershorts and, if passed, could avoid controversies such as the one last year involving Bayern Munich's Dutch winger Arjen Robben, who wore grey long-johns under his red kit.