Offside News

Sports

Official: goal-line tech might be available next season

Comment: 0 November 25th, 2011 by: admin

THE long-standing issue on the inclusion of goal-line technology in professional football was recently revived when the FA hinted that it might be available in the near future.

According to Football Association general secretary Alex Horne, if the ongoing tests on accuracy are followed by approval from FIFA, the technology could be made available in the Premier League at the start of the 2012-2013 season.

Reports say that experts are currently in the middle of testing a total of nine different systems, with one scheduled for analysis in the presence of FIFA’s own testers on Thursday.

‘It’s possible we could see goal-line technology in the Premier League as early as 2012-2013,’ said Horne.  ‘It’s easy to make mistakes and we’ve all seen examples where the referee and assistant referee can’t see if a ball has crossed the line or not.

‘We need to support them in decision making.’

Campaigns for the installation of goal-line technology stood with the argument that the added feature would help officials make more accurate calls.

‘Goal-line technology would be a huge boost for the game,’ mused Horne.  ‘For years we’ve thought this was a good addition to referees’ armoury.  We accept it’s a difficult job refereeing and that there’s human error but if there’s a full-proof system, I’m all for bringing it in.’

Active campaigns to have the technology introduced into the sport have in the past met a sudden end at the hands of UEFA president Michel Platini, who said that there was no need for it.

‘I know a lot of people think that justice can only be done with television and the use of technology but I don’t believe that,’ Platini had said earlier this month.  ‘We should have a human solution with referees.’

The UEFA president made this statement after suggesting to remedy controversial calls with the installation of more referees on the field – a proposal that Blatter disagreed with.

‘I think (having extra referees) is a good idea,’ Platini said.  ‘I think that in the Champions League, it’s going really, really well.’

Addressing Blatter’s opposition to his proposal, Platini plainly said ‘maybe Blatter doesn’t like it because it’s not his idea.’

The current testing for the nine technology systems is said to continue until Christmas.  The findings will then be sent to an independent company, and presented during the meeting of the International Football Association Board in early March.

More