FIFA Approves (GLT) Goal-line Technology For 2014 World Cup

FIFA has approved the use of goal-line technology for the 2014 World Cup finals in Brazil.
The governing body said the system will also be introduced for the Confederations Cup this summer, also held in Brazil, following a successful trial at the Club World Cup in December.

FIFA has now put the contract for World Cup goal-line technology out to tender, marking a key moment in the application of modern technology to a sport first codified in 1848.

Two systems, Hawkeye and GoalRef, have so far been licensed by FIFA and both were used at the Club World Cup in Japan, where goal-line technology was employed for the first time.

A statement read: "After a successful implementation of Goal-Line Technology (GLT) at the FIFA Club World Cup in Japan in December 2012, FIFA has decided to use GLT at the FIFA Confederations Cup Brazil 2013 and 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil.

"The aim is to use GLT in order to support the match officials and to install a system in all stadia, pending the successful installation, and pre-match referee tests.

"With different technologies on the market, FIFA has launched a tender today, setting out the technical requirements for the two forthcoming competitions in Brazil.

"The two GLT providers already licensed under FIFA’s Quality Programme for GLT, and other GLT providers currently in the licensing process (that must have passed all relevant tests as of today) are invited to submit tenders.

"Interested GLT companies will be invited to join an inspection visit to the Confederations Cup venues, currently scheduled for mid-March, with a final decision due to be confirmed in early April."

FIFA changed its view on technology after the 2010 World Cup, when a shot from England's Frank Lampard clearly crossed the line but was not given in a second-round match Germany went on to win.

Having previously opposed any changes, FIFA president Sepp Blatter said the matter would be investigated urgently.