FIFA licenses third goal-line technology project

Zurich: 

Goal-line technology system Cairos was licensed by FIFA on Monday as the third candidate for use at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

Cairos, a German system using magnetic field technology, joins Hawk-Eye and GoalRef as officially approved projects.

“The Cairos GLT System met all of the demands placed on it,” the company said in a statement.

Germany’s goalkeeper Manuel Neuer looks at a ball that hit the bar to bounce over the line during the World Cup. AP

Testing was done at two German stadiums in December, one week after Hawk-Eye and GoalRef were installed at two stadiums at the FIFA Club World Cup in Japan. The systems were never needed for any decisive calls at the seven-team tournament.

FIFA’s rule-making panel approved goal-line technology for use in competitive matches last July after President Sepp Blatter insisted it must be installed at the World Cup.

Last week, FIFA invited bidders to compete for the World Cup and 2013 Confederations Cup contract.

FIFA said it aims to choose the winner in April. A fourth system has also completed testing and could join the race.

Cairos, which began developing its system in 2000, resumes its longstanding rivalry with Hawk-Eye, a British camera-based system successfully used in tennis and cricket.

Both were evaluated — and rejected — by FIFA when goal-line technology was first considered several years ago.

Blatter was originally opposed to giving technological aids for referees, but he changed his mind after seeing England’s Frank Lampard have a clear goal disallowed against Germany in a 2010 World Cup second-round match.

Germany and England will compete again for the World Cup contract.

GoalRef also uses magnetic fields and is a collaboration of companies from Germany and Denmark. The fourth contender is also German, but FIFA has said it will not identify that candidate before it is given a license.