Blatter reveals progress on goal-line technology issue

FIFA president Sepp Blatter has revealed that at least two goal-line technology systems have proved themselves fast and accurate and could be in place for the 2012-13 season.

Testing of nine systems is currently taking place and Blatter said the Brazil 2014 World Cup would have goal-line technology that met all of FIFA's demands.

The systems that have been worked on for years by British firm Hawk-Eye and German company Cairos are likely to be the ones closest to passing the tests.

Blatter also re-stated his insistence that the 2022 World Cup will definitely take place in Qatar, despite calls for last year's vote to be investigated.

On technology, Blatter told German newspaper Bild a decision would be taken by the International Football Association Board (IFAB) in March at a meeting in London.

He said: "There are now systems that combine precision, speed and are uncomplicated. We are now in the testing phase and the IFAB will vote in March 2012 in London over using this resource. If the final decision is made, it can be used from the 2012-13 season."

He added in Spanish sports daily El Mundo Deportivo: "Brazil 2014 will have technology to avoid phantom goals. FIFA has two good systems that meet all the demands we set: reliability, immediacy and not being difficult to use."

Blatter also stood by FIFA's decision to award the 2022 World Cup to Qatar.

He said: "The 2022 World Cup will definitely take place in Qatar and with my full confidence. This has been firmly established by a democratic process."

The 75-year-old also said he would not step down as president before 2015, the date he announced earlier this year for his retirement.

He added: "FIFA is a boat that we are piloting through autumn storms and I have to lead it into calm waters again. We have a lot of work to do and my father taught me to never quit. In our family, we carried on until we achieved our goals.

"By 2013 we can steer back into those calmer waters. Then I will have two years to hoist the sails in order to enjoy the sailing trip and then I can say 'Goodbye'."