FIFA puts goal-line technology on ice

At its Annual General Meeting in Gleneagles, Scotland, FIFA's International Football Association Board (IFAB) has decided to put on ice goal-line technology and to stop tests in this area.

The IFAB's technical committee witnessed tests and had been considering two technological systems; the "Smart" Ball" with a microchip developed by adidas and the German company Cairo, "Hawk-Eye" a camera-based system developed by the Hawkeye company, whose system is used in tennis and cricket.

adidas' "Smart" Ball" system, had failed in one of seven trial matches during the World Club Championships in Tokyo in December because of interference on the signal being sent to the referee's watch device, and the "Hawk-Eye" system which uses 12 cameras linked to a computer that combines the images, had been proven problematic, and costly.

"It is not a change of heart. We have identified very clearly how complicated both systems are and that for the time being they are not accurate. "After three years of tests, we have had no conclusive results - so we have decided to stop it and put it on ice," said FIFA President Sepp Blatter.

However, the IFAB has approved a proposal from FIFA to conduct an experiment involving two additional assistant referees who will mainly focus on fouls and misconduct in the penalty area. The competition in which this test will be conducted will be decided at a later stage.

The Board also discussed a proposal from the Scottish FA regarding the use of video evidence to sanction simulation after the game. Although the suggestion was not approved, the IFAB members agreed that simulation is an act of cheating which must be intensively fought and sanctioned during the game and that all member associations would be encouraged to do so.

Source: euFootball.BIZ © Copyright 2006 - All rights reserved.