Goal-Line Technology: July 2011 Update

This week there was an announcement on Fifa.com (21 July) about goal-line technology developments.

• Nine companies have nominated for goal-line technology’s (GLT) first testing phase.
• All the participating companies are from Europe.
• The first test period will take place between September and December 2011.
• Each company’s technology will be scrutinised across a broad range of criteria, in both daylight and floodlit conditions.
• Using a pass or fail assessment system, the testing period will measure the technology’s recognition of free shots on goal, with 100 per cent accuracy required, as well as static and dynamic accuracy tests, to 90 per cent accuracy in the first phase.
• GLT systems’ transmissions to officials in the result of a goal, with both a vibration and visual signal required to be sent to the referee’s watch.
• This indication must be received wherever the referee is positioned on the field of play, or within the technical areas.
• The Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology will be conducting the independent testing of all the submitted GLT systems.
• The results of these tests will be presented in a report compiled for the 2012 IFAB AGM, scheduled for 3 March 2012 in London.
• A second series of tests will then be conducted between March and June 2012.
• The results of both assessment stages will be presented in a report at a special IFAB meeting set for next summer, where GLT’s future in football will be decided.