FIFA to adopt goal-line technology at 2014 football world cup

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL: World football's governing body FIFA has announced that goal-line technology will be used during the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

System providers have been asked to submit bids by April with the technology set to be adopted in time for June's Confederations Cup, FIFA said in a statement Tuesday, reports Xinhua.

The announcement follows a successful trial of the technology during last December's FIFA Club World Cup in Japan.

"The aim is to use goal-line technology in order to support the match officials and to install a system in all stadia, pending the successful installation and pre-match referee tests. With different technologies in the market, FIFA has launched a tender today, setting out the technical requirements for the two forthcoming competitions in Brazil," the statement said.

FIFA has already approved two systems - Hawk Eye and GoalRef - designed to help the referee adjudicate if the ball has crossed the goal line. The Hawk Eye system, used in cricket and tennis, involves the strategic placing of cameras from different points within the stadium while GoalRef uses an electronic chip inside the ball. Other providers have also been asked to submit proposals.

"Interested companies will be invited to join an inspection visit to the Confederations Cup venues, currently scheduled for mid-March, with a final decision due to be confirmed in early April," the statement added.