Fifa: Goal-line tech decision in July

Fifa: Goal-line tech decision in July

Two Goal Line Technology (GLT) options will be tested between 10 May and the beginning of June, according to Fifa.

In March, the International Football Association Board (IFAB) approved two companies, Hawk-Eye and GoalRef, to take part in the second phase of GLT testing.

Fifa says EMPA (Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology) will test both systems with the aim of rigorously assessing the reliability and accuracy of each system and determining how robust the technology is.

Magnetic distortions

Field tests will take place in a football stadium chosen by the GLT system provider. EMPA will conduct a greater volume of shots on an empty goal, shots against an impact wall, and shots on a goalkeeper.

Also, there will be a series of simulated scenarios on the field using players to assess the GLT systems with an increased number of players in and around the goalmouth.

“Both GLT systems will be tested against a variety of ambient and technical conditions. This will include simulating different climatic conditions (including rain, smoke/fog and heat/humidity), testing against the impact of proximity to mobile phone transmitters or other magnetic field distortions (such as TV cameras, LED advertising boards) and tests on the watches which would be worn by the match officials,” says Fifa.

It adds that to ensure every eventuality has been considered in the two testing phases, each company is also required to have their systems tested in two separate “live” matches.

The phase two test results will be provided to the IFAB for a definitive decision on the use of GLT to be made at a special meeting, in Kiev, on 2 July, says Fifa.

Controversial refereeing

In March, the IFAB received a general evaluation of eight available GLT systems by EMPA. The first phase of testing was conducted between November and December 2011. Of the eight companies, Hawk-Eye and GoalRef were approved to take part in the second phase of testing.

Hawk-Eye’s system uses optical recognition with cameras, while GoalRef utilises a magnetic field with a special ball to identify a goal situation. GLT is a proposed technology that signals the referee when the ball has crossed the goal-line, indicating whether a goal has been scored or not.

Fifa previously said the use of GLT was rejected because of high costs and potential interruptions in the flow of games. “The application of modern technologies can be very costly and, therefore, not applicable on a global level,” the organisation says.

In July 2010, Fifa said it would reconsider the use of GLT at its 21 July meeting, in Cardiff. Fifa president Sepp Blatter, speaking at a press roundtable, said from the beginning of the 2010 World Cup the decision was taken by the IFAB not to implement goal-line technology.

However, after controversial refereeing decisions during England’s match against Germany and Argentina’s match against Mexico, talks have been raised about goal-line technology and its possible assistance in determining the legitimacy of goals. Due to this, Fifa decided to reconsider relevant technological equipment for the future, said Blatter.

“It is obvious that after the experiences so far at this World Cup it would be nonsense not to reopen the file on goal-line technology.”

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