Goal-line technology tests extended 1 more year

FIFA President Sepp Blatter said he would welcome the use of goal-line technology at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil if a suitable system can be found

Football's rule-making body agreed on Saturday to extend the technology trial after 10 systems had failed to meet FIFA's requirements when they were tested last month.
Blatter has reversed his opposition to high-tech aids for referees, citing the failure to award a goal to England despite the ball clearly crossing the line in the last-16 match against Germany at the 2010 World Cup as a "blatant ... and immense error." The goal would have leveled the match at 2-2, but Germany went on to win 4-1.
In a bid to eradicate such errors at the 2014 tournament, the International Football Association Board said further tests will now take place in games rather than being conducted at FIFA House in Zurich.
"On goal-line technology, we will go on with the technical experiments and then to bring back this item to the IFAB meeting next year in London, and then a final decision will be taken," Blatter said, referring to the March 2012 meeting. "If it works definitely, the board will say yes to the technology. And if the board says yes, then there is a no problem, then there should be no problem to have it in 2014.
"(But) I have to restrict my natural optimism and come a little bit back because the tests we have had so far are not conclusive." The English Football Association, which holds one of the eight IFAB votes, was unhappy that the testing was only extended.
"It's not perfect because we wanted to get the principle of goal-line technology adopted," said Alex Horne, the FA general secretary. "Given where we were last year, when it got thrown out, that was my worst fear that it would happen again.
"My preferred position was we accept the principle and wait for the technology to prove itself. We are now in the position where they want to look at the technology in different environments and then we will make a decision in March next year. That's why next year's meeting will be so important." The IFAB has approved the use of two additional referees' assistants at the 2012 European Championship in Poland and Ukraine following successful tests based on UEFA President Michel Platini's five-official system in the Europa League.
The five-official system could also be used at the World Cup, Blatter said.
"It is with a lot of optimism that we will have additional referees for 2014," Blatter said.
In a ruling that will displease some footballers in cold conditions, IFAB banned players from wearing neck-warming snoods from July 1.
"There was not even a discussion because this is not part of the uniform and it can be dangerous," Blatter said.
IFAB is a 125-year-old body comprising officials from England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, plus FIFA representing the other 204 football nations and referees, coaches and players worldwide.
Each British member has one vote, FIFA has four and a proposed new rule needs six votes to be passed.