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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