FIFA sets July 2012 target for goal-line systems

ZURICH (AP):

FIFA has set a target date of July 2012 to approve goal-line technology systems that could be introduced before the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

Soccer's world governing organisation said yesterday that candidates must pass a further two rounds of tests conducted at a stadium of their choice. FIFA said the results will be presented to its rules-making body in July 2012.

Days earlier, the goal-line debate was reignited with another major error by match officials. Chelsea's Frank Lampard scored against Tottenham on Saturday when replays showed the ball had not wholly crossed the line. Chelsea won 2-1 to keep alive their Premier League title hopes.

It was Lampard's "ghost goal" against Germany at the 2010 World Cup - when his shot did not count for England despite bouncing down off the crossbar beyond the goal line - that persuaded FIFA president Sepp Blatter to end his long-standing opposition to technology. Blatter apologised to English officials after watching Germany's 4-1 win in South Africa.

Technology companies bidding for approval must tell FIFA in the next month if they want to take part in tests scheduled from September to December.

Systems achieving 90 per cent accuracy in "simulated match scenarios" could be invited for more tests in March-June 2012. Ten systems were tested at FIFA headquarters in March, but their accuracy was unacceptable.

Hawk-Eye, the Sony-owned company whose ball-tracking technology is used in tennis and cricket, declined to participate because its system uses cameras that need to be set up in a stadium.