World football's governing body has invited manufacturers to take part in a two-stage technical testing process between September 2011 and March 2012, which will be verified by an independent technical institute. About 10 different goal-line technology systems have been tested to date, but football’s rule-makers, the International Football Association Board (IFAB), and FIFA have so far been unconvinced.
“The final results of this evaluation will be presented to the IFAB at a special meeting in July 2012,” FIFA said in a statement. “The tests will be conducted in two phases at a football stadium selected by the respective technology providers, in consultation with FIFA.”
The first phase of tests between September and December 2011 will check the success of the required goalscoring indicator, which will be linked to a bracelet worn by the referee. Shortlisted systems, which are at least 90% successful, will then progress to the second phase, where FIFA will be looking for 100% accuracy in tests involving different types of shots on goal under simulated match conditions.
The IFAB, which is made up of FIFA and the football associations of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, decided in March to look at technological aids for referees again.
