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Premier League could use goal-line technology in 2012-13

Last updated on .From the section Footballcomments296

Goal-line technology could be introduced in the Premier League midway through the 2012-13 season after it was approved by the International Football Association Board (IFAB) in Zurich.

Two systems - Hawk-Eye and GoalRef - have passed Fifa's criteria for use.

The technology will first be used at December's Fifa Club World Cup and, if successful, at the 2013 Confederations Cup and 2014 World Cup.

The Premier League said it wanted it "as soon as practically possible".

A statement following IFAB's announcement added: "The Premier League has been a long-term advocate of goal-line technology.

"We welcome today's decision by IFAB and will engage in discussions with both Hawk-Eye and GoalRef in the near future with a view to introducing goal-line technology as soon as is practically possible."

FA general secretary Alex Horne said it was up to the Premier League, which is likely to centrally fund the technology for its member clubs, to decide on a timescale for implementation.

"It may be December until the technology is absolutely finally approved and installed in stadia," he said at a press conference in Zurich. "Priority is given to the Fifa Club World Cup in Japan.

"The Premier League need to talk to the two [technology providers] and the clubs. My understanding is that clubs are supportive and, in principle, as long as all clubs agree it could be introduced part-way through the season - it could be before the start of 2013-14 season, it could be part-way through.

"We have already got Hawk-Eye at Wembley. It needs to be calibrated and make sure it's working properly and licensed so we are nearly there and we could turn it on on quite quickly.

"The FA Cup would be our decision and we could say for the semi-finals and finals of the FA Cup we could turn it on. I don't think that is a very controversial decision."

Horne added that he felt it was "a hugely important day" for football.

"We believe that it is a great day for football. From an English perspective, today is a hugely important day. It is a cause we have had on our agenda for a number of years.

"This is about having the right technology helping the referee in a relatively rare occurrence."

The systems will require testing after they are installed in each stadium to ensure they are working properly before they can be used, with licenses lasting for 12 months.

Premier League director of communications Dan Johnson said there were several factors to consider before the system is implemented.

"We have to look at the technologies ourselves and decide which is the most appropriate," he said.

"There is the cost factor too - which is why we are particularly pleased that two companies have come through because it provides some competitive tension.

"We haven't ruled out introducing it midway through the season, but it is dependent on what type of progress we make with the two companies, what we think of the technology and how our clubs react.

"One thing which wasn't clear [in the Zurich meeting] was a graphical representation of the technology working because I think it is important fans and television viewers can see it working. It is important for the trust in the technology."

The Football League said it "welcomed the decision" and will now consider the future use of technology in its competitions.

It is believed it could look to fund it through commercial sponsorship.

The IFAB was keen to stress that technology will not be used to help referees make any other decisions.

The momentum for the introduction of goal-line technology increased after Ukraine were denied an equaliser after the ball appeared to cross the line in a 1-0 defeat by England at Euro 2012.

Chelsea manager Roberto Di Matteo said: "We see every season, every big tournament, we need it because there are some crucial moments within those games where you could find the right solution with a bit of technology."

Uefa president Michel Platini is believed to prefer the use of five match officials, something which was also approved by Fifa on Thursday.

The system, which sees an extra official posted behind each goal-line to monitor action in and around the penalty box, has been on trial since 2008 and was in use during Euro 2012 as well as last season's Champions League.

Football's governing body also lifted a ban on women wearing headscarves during games, clearing the way for the participation of many Islamic nations in top-flight competition.

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296 comments

  • Comment posted by User0594436118, at 18:32 5 Jul 2012

    It should have been introduced years ago and will be a great help in these situations. Maybe what would have been better would be the installation of videos to pick out the pathetic acting of those players who insist on writhing in agony when brushed by an opponent. Those found guilty should be banned for a time and maybe then we could stamp out that element from our game too.

  • Comment posted by Lord Zakspade of Elbonia, at 19:08 5 Jul 2012

    "That incident led to Fifa president Sepp Blatter throwing his weight behind calls for goal-line technology."

    Sorry - is that the same Sepp Blatter who delayed and delayed it for as long as he could in the first place?

  • Comment posted by Dave, at 19:18 5 Jul 2012

    Funny how the main argument against it was that it would disrupt play. What about players diving, staying down when fouled and other attempts to run down the clock?

    Now all we need is micro-chips to detect on shirt pulling.

  • Comment posted by NottsHammer, at 19:28 5 Jul 2012

    @69:

    Sorry, but I'd rather see the correct decision given and a team not screwed over by a bad decision than have a 'debate' over it. There's plenty of other incidents and moments to debate.

    I really don't understand how anyone can be arguing against giving the correct decision in this situation.

  • Comment posted by John G, at 21:20 5 Jul 2012

    Never mind goal line technology we should make sure the clock is stopped when ball is out of play to stop all of the annoying boring, diving, time wasting prima donnas!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • Comment posted by User0491925867, at 22:08 5 Jul 2012

    The thing is that Sepp Blatter (England hater) was against goal line cams until the Ukraine-England game. When Englands goal against Germany was ruled out at the WC2010 he said no to cams, but now when Ukraine had a offside goal cleared off the goal line by Terry, he wanted the cams right the way. He is a funny guy this Blatter. :)

  • Comment posted by User0209527917, at 23:19 5 Jul 2012

    Although I understand the argument for goal-line technology, from a personal point of view I cannot see this advance making football more enjoyable as a spectator sport. If the game were to become more honest, and players (as in tennis, cricket etc) had better playing ethics, I would appreciate the game more.

    http://evansreview.org/2012/07/is-this-the-death-knoll-for-the-beautiful-game/5548/

  • Comment posted by ch21ss, at 12:44 6 Jul 2012

    "As for the shirt pulling, as you said, fouls aren't black and white, you have to take into account the game, if referees gave fouls for every shirt pull in the box, there would be hundred of penalties, so common sense is needed."

    No, if penalties were given for every shirt pull in the box, almost all shirt pulling in the box would stop.

  • Comment posted by Tony, at 21:13 5 Jul 2012

    To all the nay sayers, in the early days of organised football a new technology was introduced to help the referee decide if a goal had been scored. Not everyone liked them at first, but pretty soon every team had a NET on the goal. This is just the 21st century equivalent. In 130 years this discussion will seem as archaic as the argument not to have nets was in the 1890's

  • Comment posted by JB3546, at 20:11 5 Jul 2012

    This may be a small victory but there are still so many desicions to be made correctly. If it happens as it did in Ukraine where the goal was offside to begin with then people will start to question why have only GLT and no other systems to help the ref. I don't understand why we can't just use a system such as video ref like rugby union then we would be able to review all the major desicions

  • Comment posted by User0138791583, at 19:29 5 Jul 2012

    About time. I'm convinced the people who want to prevent this from coming into the game would also quite happily do away with floodlights, roofs, scoreboards and even goalposts if they had the chance, and just operate purely on trust because "it makes the game interesting". If this technology results in fewer horrendous errors and more teams being rewarded for skill, I'm all for it.

  • Comment posted by User0125880896, at 18:47 5 Jul 2012

    I can't believe people are worried this will make the game boring! People saying the excitement is in the controversy of incorrect decisions are clearly not football fans because real fans of the sport would be enjoying the way the game is played, not the way the rules are implemented.

  • Comment posted by User0797500448, at 21:11 5 Jul 2012

    This won't prevent controversy in football but it is a step in the right direction. Adressing diving hoodwinking referees would be my next concern.

  • Comment posted by army42, at 18:20 5 Jul 2012

    It's about bloody time!!! Welcome to the 20th and 21st centuries.

  • Comment posted by User0941984271, at 20:49 5 Jul 2012

    Unlike some ref's decisions, this is a good call.

    Blatter however, should take no credit for this as he's clearly proven himself to be incompetent.

  • Comment posted by blue mosaics, at 15:07 6 Jul 2012

    About time.

  • Comment posted by DrRatters, at 01:25 6 Jul 2012

    Genuinely surprised that FIFA would allow this as it is some, if not more in the longer-term, power they have relinquished..

  • Comment posted by User0260771664, at 22:00 5 Jul 2012

    Do remember these decisions will take only a second and are instantly sent to the referee, it won't ruin the spectacle as we wait for an age to get the result, this is surely only positive

  • Comment posted by User0226386273, at 21:15 5 Jul 2012

    I'm all for GLT, it makes the game fair and honest. If a goal wasn't a goal, then it wasn't a goal. No arguments. The result is the way it was, not the way it was perceived by the ref. About time!

  • Comment posted by LivelyLefty, at 22:09 5 Jul 2012

    @19. Jon

    Couldn't agree more. I think they should have video analysis on fouls, wouldn't even have to be during the game, but post-game they could check any contentious ones for diving and anyone caught blatantly diving should get an automatic 2 week ban. It is the single worst thing about modern football and needs to be sorted out.