FIFA to fund more goal-line technology trials

FIFA will fund additional goal-line technology trials after 10 systems failed to meet the conditions set by soccer's governing body.

The trials were ordered by FIFA President Sepp Blatter after he reversed his opposition to high-tech aids for referees following complaints about mistakes at last year's World Cup.

The systems tested at FIFA's headquarters last month—including the Adidas-owned Cairos microchip ball—were judged to be not quick or accurate enough.

FIFA general secretary Jerome Valcke said Thursday the organization remains committed to finding the right goal-line device.

The sport's rule-making body, the International Football Association Board, will review the 10 results at its annual meeting on Saturday in Wales.

"The decision is: Do we extend the tests which we at FIFA are ready to do and ready to pay for?" Valcke said in Zurich. "Maybe (we will) do the next tests in England and in a stadium. If something is working then why not? Blatter was clear to the executive committee by saying if there is a system that's working we have to accept it."

Under conditions set by IFAB in October, any technological device would have to determine whether a goal had been scored within one second and be 100 percent accurate.

The most high-profile blunder at last year's World Cup in South Africa came when England was denied a goal against Germany. Frank Lampard's shot clearly crossed the line and would have tied the second-round game at 2. England went on to lose 4-1.

Hawk-Eye's camera-based system, which is successfully deployed in tennis, did not participate in the tests last month at FIFA House in Zurich because six cameras must be deployed in a stadium environment. Hawk-Eye, however, has been assured that it can participate in future tests if they are pursued by IFAB on Saturday.

The rule-making body includes four representatives of FIFA and one each from England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Six votes are necessary for approval.

The Welsh and Northern Irish backed Blatter last year by voting to keep technology out of the game.