Goal Line Technology testing moves to second phase

Two companies, the German & Danish GoalRef and the Sony-owned Hawkeye, will proceed to the second phase of goal-line technology testing following a decision by the International Football Association Board (IFAB). Both will now undergo further examination in “multiple scenarios” between March and June to test their accuracy in simulated match conditions.

The game’s law-makers met over the weekend in Surrey to discuss the independent test results of eight systems and map out the next stages of GLT’s potential introduction. Hawk-Eye’s system, of course, uses optical recognition with cameras, whilst GoalRef utilises a magnetic field and requires a special ball to identify goals.

The accuracy and robustness of both systems will be assessed in a second phase of testing between March and July before a final decision on their approval is made at the Board’s Special Meeting in Kiev on 2 July, following the EURO 2012 final.

“It’s an important step forwards for us, but it’s equally important that we implement it properly,” said The FA’s Chief Executive, Alex Horne. “It must be accurate or it’s not worth having, but we’re very comfortable that the technology is proving itself.

“We absolutely expect that, provided the companies fulfill the criteria, we will be passing the use of the systems into the laws on 2 July in Kiev,” he added.

The Swiss standards institute EMPA conducted the tests between September and December last year. According to the BBC, the Adidas-backed Cairos system – which involved the use of a microchip inserted into the ball – was one of the systems that failed to pass phase one of the strict conditions established by Fifa.