Bow for goalline technology

FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke has hailed the introduction of goal-line technology at the Club World Cup in Japan on Thursday.

FIFA will try out two systems - UK-based Hawk-Eye and GoalRef, from Germany - at the Club World Cup, starting with the match between Sanfrecce Hiroshima and Auckland City.

"It's a big day," Valcke said on fifa.com. "Thursday will be the first time that goal-line technology will be officially used in a game. The tests are done; and the instillation tests were successful.

"This is also an important day for us, because we will use one of the two systems we are using here in the FIFA Confederations Cup next year "This is a kind of revolution. It is the first time that this kind of technology is coming into football.

"It will be restricted to the goal-line specifically. The IFAB (International

Football Association Board) is there to ensure the 17 laws of the game are

protected."

The Hawk-Eye system is the same as that used in cricket and tennis, which

relies on a series of seven cameras to create a 3D picture of each goal, while GoalRef uses electro-magnetic sensors.

Valcke also said he had full confidence there would be no errors from the

technology.

"It needs to be the most accurate system we can have at the moment," he said.

"There can be no mistakes with this and that is why the IFAB took two years to make sure the system was perfect."

Chelsea - Europe's representatives in the tournament - will be the first British club to trial the system.


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Twenty defenders shortlisted for FIFA FIFPro World XI 2012

The worldwide players' union FIFPro and FIFA announced on thursday the 20 defenders shortlisted for the FIFA FIFPro World XI 2012, part of the 55-player final shortlist to be revealed at a press conference in São Paulo on 29 November 2012.



Three days after the unveiling of the five-goalkeeper shortlist, the 20 defenders are now known and will be followed by the 15 midfielders and 15 forwards due to be announced and published on FIFA.com on 26 and 29 November respectively.



The defender shortlist is:



Jordi Alba (Spain, Barcelona); Gareth Bale (Wales, Tottenham Hotspur); Giorgio Chiellini (Italy, Juventus); Ashley Cole (England, Chelsea); Dani Alves (Brazil, Barcelona); David Luiz (Brazil, Chelsea); Patrice Evra (France, Manchester United); Rio Ferdinand (England, Manchester United); Mats Hummels (Germany, Borussia Dortmund); Branislav Ivanovic (Serbia, Chelsea); Vincent Kompany (Belgium, Manchester City); Philipp Lahm (Germany, Bayern Munich), Marcelo (Brazil, Real Madrid); Javier Mascherano (Argentina, Barcelona); Pepe (Portugal, Real Madrid); Gerard Piqué (Spain, Barcelona); Carles Puyol (Spain, Barcelona); Sergio Ramos (Spain, Real Madrid); John Terry (England, Chelsea); Thiago Silva (Brazil, Paris St-Germain).



The goalkeeper shortlist is:



Gianluigi Buffon (Italy, Juventus); Iker Casillas (Spain, Real Madrid); Petr Cech (Czech Republic, Chelsea); Joe Hart (England, Manchester City); Manuel Neuer (Germany, Bayern Munich).

FIFA reject Drogba loan appeal

FIFA have turned down a request from Didier Drogba to be allowed to leave Chinese club Shanghai Shenhua on loan ahead of the transfer window.



The Ivory Coast striker, who has been linked with a short-term move back to previous club Chelsea, had put in a request to the world governing body only for it to be rejected.



FIFA said in a statement: "We can confirm that the player Didier Drogba submitted a request for authorisation to be registered outside an open registration period for a club on a loan basis.



"FIFA has informed him about the relevant regulations... that players may only be registered during one of the two annual registration periods fixed by the relevant association."



FIFA said the only exception was when a player's contract expired outside a transfer window.



Drogba had been hoping to get a temporary move to build fitness ahead of the African Nations Cup in January.