So, the countdown has begun for the introduction of new-age technology that is expected to overcome old human based likely errors. While this technology is also in the hit list of humanoid favorites, there is also a section which is eagerly waiting for it to happen. FIFA has confirmed that it will use this technology for the first time in Club World Cup wherein both goal line technology providers’ techniques would be judged for their help in determining when ball actually crosses the goal line. Until now, there are only two providers of this technology, and both of them work on different principles, while GoalRef system uses specially made magnet area around both goal posts, Hawk-Eye system uses additional cameras on both the goal sites to catch each second of a goal with highest resolutions. The tournament is scheduled to begin from Thursday, and in the very first match; New Zealand’s club Auckland City will clash with Japan’s Sanfrecce Hiroshima at Yokohama Stadium which has already been accustomed to use GoalRef magnetic area.
Since, this technology is still in its testing age, referees will have all the powers to decide if a goal is legal or not, perhaps for the time being, goal line technology is only for their assistance not for their replacement. FIFA issued a statement via its website and told, “Tomorrow will be the first time that goal-line technology will be officially used in a game. The tests are done; and the installation tests were successful.” The further use of this technology will depend upon the success of its first testing in club’s world cup, hence if its findings come out to be in favorable to FIFA, governing body will then decide which of these two systems should be used first at 2013 Confederations Cup in Brazil and then in 2014 World Cup again in Brazil.
FIFA General secretary Jerome Valcke also said that referees are still the final decision takers, so there will not be a slowdown or losing the spirit of the game by using any of these technologies. Perhaps, FIFA president himself was initially against the use of this technology, but after the 2010 World Cup’s incident, when England denied a clear goal fired by midfielder Frank Lampard in a game against Germany, he changed his mind and start supporting this new-age concept. So, keep your fingers crossed and enjoy error free soccer games!