FIFA confirms goal-line technology trials

FIFA has confirmed it is to trial technology which will determine whether a goal has been scored during the Under 17 World Championships in Peru during September and October. The anticipated decision was confirmed at FIFA’s International Board meeting in Wales on Saturday and marks another step forward in the relationship between sports governing bodies and technology. The new system will determine whether the ball has crossed the goal line, eliminating the potential for huge controversy or, the skewing of a result which could cost a professional club millions in prize money, promotion/relegation or a place in a lucrative international competition. The technology which FIFA is to trial has been developed by adidas in partnership with German company Cairos AG and the Fraunhofer Institute. It uses an electronic chip embedded in the ball. “Not a day goes by without technology making progress. We therefore have a duty to at least examine whether new technology could be used in football,” said FIFA President Sepp Blatter.