As promised, goal-line technology will be making its test runs in official football matches including a test run for the Hawk-Eye system during the Hampshire FA Senior Cup final between AFC Totton and Eastleigh FC on the 16th of May. Meanwhile, the GoalRef system will also be tested in other matches.
Many in the past have criticized matches that often incorrectly denied goals to players who validly scored. Famous cases of goals that were incorrectly judged by officials include those made by Frank Lampard of Chelsea (pictured) and Freddie Sears of Crystal Palace.
In response to the criticism made by fans and FIFA’s criteria, seven other goal-line technology systems are being tested all over Europe so that they can be used for future matches. FIFA has stated that the systems, which have been called into question regarding their accuracy before, will be in place for the 2012-2013 season of matches.
Moreover the 2014 World Cup in Brazil will also have these goal-line technology systems to avoid inaccurate officiating. Goal-line technology can come in a few different forms. The “Hawk-Eye”, developed by Dr. Paul Hawkins, uses triangulation and cameras to determine the trajectories of balls; it has been used for other sports like tennis and cricket.
Also, the GoalRef, which uses camera systems as well, has already been tested for their accuracy and is being introduced alongside Hawk-Eye, to be used for the 2012-2013 season.
The concept of goal-line technology systems has been generally scoffed at by many football officials despite its potential for assisting football referees in calling goals.
FIFA, especially current & controversial FIFA President Joseph Sepp Blatter, has historically resisted such technology as well as the idea of an instant replay and the addition of more officials to preside over matches just because it does not want football to “lose the element of human error” and that the technology could be as faulty as any human referee.
The International Football Association Board released details of the second test phase for both approved systems which mainly comprise of field tests, lab tests, field tests in actual matches and so on.
Once completely approved by the IFAB, most likely on the 2nd of July after the European Championship Final, both systems could be used for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
