Fifa Goalline Technology

Fifa to test technology

World's governing body to assess systems from September

Fifa have announced a two-stage testing programme for goalline technology as the pressure builds for its introduction.

Fifa changed their stance last year after Frank Lampard's disallowed goal in the World Cup for England in their defeat to Germany.

The Chelsea midfielder was also at the centre of the latest controversy this weekend when he was awarded a goal against Tottenham even though the whole of the ball had not crossed the line.

World football's governing body now accept the need for goalline technology, if companies can demonstrate complete reliability.

Prototype systems will need to have 90 per cent accuracy rates in order to get through the first phase, which will take place between September and December, and then return a 100 per cent rate in the second - between March and June next year.

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

A Fifa statement read: "A higher volume of tests will be conducted to ensure a more precise evaluation of the fitness of a technology and to provide a full statistical analysis.

Match scenarios

"This will include more simulated match scenarios as well as other factors including: software reliability; transmission signal quality; performance under changing weather conditions as well as on different pitch surfaces."
The tests will be divided into three parts - shots into an empty net, 'dynamic' tests against a wall in front then behind the line, and also 'static' tests with a ball placed on a sledge and moved at slow motion across the line.
For each test, an immediate signal that the ball has crossed the line must be sent to a referee's watch.
The International FA Board, the game's law-making body, will be presented with the results of the testing at a special meeting in July 2012, and successful systems could be in place for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.