FIFA: Goal-Line Technology not Accurate Enough

FIFA Secretary General Jerome Valcke claims that only two companies have come close to meeting world soccer governing body’s demands on goal-line technology,.

An agreement was reched by the International Football Association Board (IFAB) on Saturday, March 5, that tests on various systems will continue for another year, with the possibility of using such technology at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

However, FIFA was unconvinced by 10 systems tested last month in Zurich, with the governing body calling for 100 per cent accuracy.

In an interview with Sky Sports News, Valcke stated: “I don’t think the idea is to extend (tests) beyond 2012. IFAB has to make a decision. This deadline gives us, and the companies, another 12 months to work on tests.”

He added: “Even as an empty goal, just throwing the ball through to the goal, only two companies reached 98 per cent and 94 per cent. There’s not one company who has reached 100 per cent. It means that either it’s a technical problem, or it’s not good enough to be used for a 90-minute game. That’s where we have to be very careful.”

At the IFAB meeting in Newport at the weekend it was agreed that UEFA should be allowed to use its system of five match officials at Euro 2012 in Poland and Ukraine. The two extra officials will be behind the goal-line and on the side of the goal next to the assistant referee.

In other news IFAB did address the official rules with regards to the wearing of ‘snoods’, banning them from the game with concerns over health and safety issues.