Monday, November 27, 2006

Goal-line technology coming soon?

Goal-line technology is in an advanced stage of experimentation and could soon be used in major soccer competitions.FIFA president Sepp Blatter, speaking at the Soccerex conference, said Monday that the technology could be introduced in time for the Club World Championship in Tokyo in December 2007.

FIFA has been working on several ides, including the "smartball," which was used at the U-17 world championships in Peru. A microchip is embedded in the ball, which sends a signal to the referee whenever the ball crosses the goal line. "We have to help referees and have correct control," Blatter said. "We will conduct experiments during the youth competitions and I am convinced we will be able to use it soon."

Blatter again said he is against video replays. "We want to keep the human element. The use of video replays would take away the spontaneity and what is fantastic about football," Blatter said. "As long I am president, it will only be goal-line technology and there will be no chance for video replays."

Blatter also pushed the "6-plus-5" system, which means 5 players on a club team must be from the country in which the team is based. Many of the biggest clubs in Europe are overloaded with players from overseas. "We believe '6-plus-5' will give more incentive to young players. All the big clubs have youth departments, but there is no chance for these players to play in the first team," Blatter said.