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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Van Persie adds to calls for goalline technology

Arsenal striker Robin van Persie has added his name to the list of those calling for the introduction of goalline technology, after saying he sympathised with Tottenham's frustrations in last weekend's FA Cup semi-final defeat to Chelsea.



The debate over the use of technology to assist in important decisions was brought back into sharp focus after Chelsea's Juan Mata was awarded a goal despite the ball not crossing the line, and Van Persie says it is time for football to follow the lead of a number of other sports which successfully incorporate such systems into gameplay.



"There is a big issue in the game right now over goalline technology. My view is it has to be brought in to stop mistakes happening like in the FA Cup semi-final last Sunday," said Van Persie in The Sun.



"Everyone watching on television could see that Juan Mata's shot didn't cross the line but the referee gave the goal. These mistakes happen, but they can be avoided.



"I know as an Arsenal player it sounds weird but for a split second I did have some sympathy for Spurs. Although Chelsea went on to win the match 5-1, that was clearly a big turning point in the game.



"We should use whatever technology we have to make sure important decisions like that are the correct ones. We train so hard all week to make sure the ball in a match crosses the line, and then if it is taken away from you wrongly or given against you it can be extremely frustrating.



"The stakes are very high and it's a simple solution we must get right.



"They have technology in a lot of other major sports and it works very well. Football should follow suit. This is the biggest sport in the world and we should be using every resource available to ensure the result is fair."