FIFA backs two systems to end ‘phantom goals’

Coming to a football stadium near you – goal line technology. Football’s governing body FIFA has endorsed two systems to be used worldwide in a bid to end what are known as “phantom goals”.

The companies, Hawk-Eye and GoalRef have signed licence agreements with FIFA.

The announcement comes a year after an exhaustive search began for technology which could reliably detect whether or not a ball had crossed a goal-line.

FIFA said both companies passed a series of extensive laboratory and field tests in simulated matches and live games.

The governing body has advised both companies to take out insurance in case the equipment makes the wrong decision or injures a player, while the systems have to pass tests in the stadiums in which they will be used before getting the green light.

For England fans the most infamous goal that was never given was Frank Lampard’s shot for England against Germany in the World Cup.

FIFA plans to use the GoalRef system in the Club World Cup in Japan in December.

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