July 5, 2012
APPROVED
FIFA, IFAB approve goal-line technology

ZURICH, Switzerland -- Goal-line technology is not a maybe any more for international soccer. It is reality.

FIFA on Thursday agreed to use GLT at the Club World Cup in Toyko in December, the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup and the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

The new technology was approved by the International Football Association Board, which makes decisions on the rules of the game.

Each competition will assess whether it will use such technology. The GoalRef and Hawk-Eye systems, which are undergoing test runs, are available to be used.

There have been a number of incidents at high-profile competitions that could have been avoided if the technology were in place.

At the 2010 World Cup, England midfielder Frank Lampard's shot was clearly over the line against Germany, but it was ruled to be not a goal. Germany went on to win, 4-1.

At the recent Euro 2012, co-host Ukraine was denied an apparent goal as replays showed Mark Devic's shot had crossed the goal line before it was cleared by England defender John Terry. England went on to win that group-stage match, 1-0.

"After last night's match (GLT) is no longer an alternative, but a necessity," FIFA president Sepp Blatter said on Twitter following that Euro game.

The IFAB also approved the addition of two more assistant referees following a two year experiment which saw their used in competitions including the UEFA Champions League, Europa League and EURO 2012.

As a result of this decision, an amendment will be made to the Laws of the Game, with a separate section concerning additional assistant referees. It was also approved that communication equipment be permitted between match officials in the Laws of the Game.