Goal-line technology lined up for next World Cup

FIFA have announced a two-stage testing programme for goal-line technology as the pressure builds for the introduction of systems to help referees determine whether the ball has crossed the line.

Companies will need to demonstrate 90% accuracy rates for their prototype systems in order to get through the first phase and then return a 100% success rate in the second phase.

FIFA changed their stance last year after Frank Lampard’s disallowed goal for England in the World Cup and now accept the need for goal-line technology — if the systems can be shown to be completely reliable.

Successful systems could be in place for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

Lampard was also at the centre of the latest controversy last weekend when he was awarded a goal for Chelsea against Tottenham despite TV pictures showing the whole of the ball had not crossed the line.

Companies have until June 3 to register their interest with FIFA, who will share the costing of the testing. Each firm can select which stadium they would like the tests to take place in.

The tests will be divided into three parts including, shots from all over the pitch into an empty net. A 100% success rate is needed to pass phase one.

Dynamic tests, where a ball-shooting machine will fire shots into the goal where a fixed wall will at first stop the ball crossing the line, and then be moved back inside the goal at different distances from the line. A 90% success rate is needed to pass phase one.

Static tests where a ball is placed on a sledge and moved at slow motion across the goal-line, sometimes with the ball rotating. A 90% success rate in this test is also needed to pass phase one. For each test, an immediate signal that the ball has crossed the line must be sent to a referee’s watch.

Companies that successfully pass phase one of the process — which will take place between September and December — will be subjected to more rigorous and scientific testing in a second phase next year.

The International FA Board, the game’s law-making body, will be presented with the test results in July 2012, making its use at the World Cup in 2014 a real possibility.

British company Hawk-Eye is expected to be one of the firms that apply to FIFA — it believes its technology is 100% accurate.

The company’s technology is already widely used in tennis, cricket and snooker.