FIFA ponder World Cup goalline technology

FIFA president Sepp Blatter has revealed that the Goalline technology will be used on the 2006 World Cup finals, subject to the positive results of an experiment at the Under-17 world championship in Peru. The technology developed by Adidas, includes a "smartball" fitted with electronic chips sending a signal to a wristband or earpiece worn by the referee when the ball has crossed the line. The technology will be used on four venues, in all 32 matches taking place in the junior championship. If no goalline incidents will be registered during the competition, another game would be arranged to use the equipment installed at one of the stadiums.

The experiment was sanctioned by the International Association Football Board (IFAB) at its meeting in Llantisant, near Cardiff in February. Members of the board will attend the second week of the tournament which runs from September 16 to October 2. The experiment will then be reviewed by the board at a meeting in Zurich in October. If it has been found to be successful the technology will be sanctioned at its annual meeting in Lucerne next year before being seen at the World Cup for the first time.