In hopes to avoid another 2010 World Cup incident, FIFA finally confirmed they will implement goal-line technology (GLT) at the upcoming 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
FIFA President Sepp Blatter announced on Tuesday that after the successful use of GLT in last year’s Club World Cup in Japan, FIFA will now use GLT at the FIFA Confederations Cup Brazil 2013 and 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil. Two systems – Hawkeye and GoalRef – have already been licensed by FIFA, but two other German systems have been invited to submit tenders and could be approved for use.
FIFA said in a statement: “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.” So, the objective of GTL is to assist the referee with the final decision, not make it for them. One of the main criteria for GLT is that the system must alert the referee within one second of the goal, so it does not disrupt the flow of the game.
Most managers, players and fans across the world feel that the implementation of GLT is long overdue, but as they say, better late than never.
A decision by FIFA on which system will be used for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil is set to be made in April.
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