Football: FA open to video technology

The Football Association have indicated they would be willing to accept the introduction of goal-line technology to prevent mistakes such as the one that cost Tottenham victory at Old Trafford on Tuesday night.

The failure of referee Mark Clattenburg or his assistant Robert Lewis to spot Roy Carroll dropping Pedro Mendes' speculative 55-yard effort a yard over his line has led to another clamour for video technology to be introduced.

While the FA remain opposed to the use of television replays to determine incidents that occur within the course of a game such as penalties and dismissals, they feel the use of technology to establish whether a ball has crossed the line is worth trialling.

German ball manufacturers adidas are due to make a presentation to the International Football Association Board in Cardiff on February 26, pointing out the benefits of their latest invention, a ball with a microchip that bleeps once it has fully crossed the goal-line.

It has been reported that FIFA president Sepp Blatter stated the ball would be trialled at next month's Carling Cup final, although this seems highly unlikely as the Football League have not been informed of the plan and their own sponsorship contract with Mitre would prevent an adidas ball being used in the game.

Instead, adidas hope the IFAB, which comprises of four members from FIFA and one each from the English, Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish unions, will vote in favour of trialling the ball at some point in the near future.

Six IFAB votes would be enough to set up a trial and while the FA wish to reserve judgement until after the Cardiff summit, the indications are that they would agree to such a move providing guarantees were given that the game would not be held up.

Sportinglife