Skip to main content

Goal-line technology awaits green light

The International Football Association Board (IFAB) approved goal-line technology in principle in March, pending the results of extensive tests on the systems of two companies.

These will be examined at the meeting on Thursday at FIFA's headquarters.

Alex Horne, the general secretary of the English FA, said in March: "We expect, following the conclusion of those tests by EMPA [the Swiss testing laboratory], that one or more of the companies will fulfil the criteria, and that we will be passing that into the laws in July."

Since then, FIFA President Sepp Blatter has reiterated his federation's support for technology following an incident at Euro 2012 when a shot from Ukraine's Marco Devic appeared to cross the line before being hooked clear by England's John Terry.

"After last night's match, GLT [goal-line technology] is no longer an alternative but a necessity," wrote the FIFA president, previously an opponent of the idea but who performed a U-turn following Frank Lampard's disallowed goal for England at the 2010 World Cup.

The major opponent to goal-line technology is European football's governing body UEFA which on Saturday asked for the final decision to be postponed.