FIFA may opt to chip the ball

SOCCER: The English Football League has volunteered to be used as a "guinea pig" for goalline technology that, if successful, could be implemented throughout the world. Rather than video evidence, the scheme would involve using a specially-created ball fitted with a microchip that bleeps when it crosses the line.

FIFA's international board, the only authority with the power to change the laws of the game, will be given a demonstration of the ball - which is being developed by adidas - at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium ahead of its annual meeting on February 26th. They will then decide whether to accept the Football League's offer for a trial in the second, third and fourth rungs of English football.

"The golden goal and the 10-yard rule for dissent were both tested in one of our competitions, the LDV trophy, and we have informed UEFA that if they want to try out goalline technology we would be happy to help," said the league spokesman John Nagle.

He said discussions had started long before Tuesday's controversy at Old Trafford when Manchester United's goalkeeper Roy Carroll dropped a long-range shot from Tottenham's Pedro Mendes over his goalline only for play to be waved on. The match finished scoreless and the oversight by the referee Mark Clattenburg and his assistant Rob Lewis prevented Tottenham from recording their first win at Old Trafford since 1989.

"There has been a feeling at club level for a long time that goalline technology can help and that there is no harm in trying these things," said Nagle. "There is a desire to move the game forward when necessary. So if there is a system that works, and part of the problem is that there has never been one that was considered foolproof, FIFA know the offer is there."

One stumbling block could be the contract to supply balls to the league is held by Mitre, but, if the technology proves viable, this should not be insurmountable. It is likely end-of-season trials will lead to another vote at FIFA's annual meeting in 2006, when a decision will be made about implementing it on a full-time basis. "I do not think that after one presentation or one trial a quick decision will be taken," confirmed FIFA's communications director Markus Siegler.

The FA will be represented at next month's meeting by a delegation including the chairman Geoff Thompson and the head of refereeing, John Baker. Along with their counterparts from Scotland and Northern Ireland, they will back calls for a period of experimentation.

"The FA is willing to discuss and consider any form of goal-line technology that would improve decision-making while not disrupting the game," the organisation said in a statement. "The key factor is whether a message can be transmitted immediately to the referee, allowing him to take an immediate decision without interrupting play."

Video evidence is unlikely to do that without a short delay and, though the FA's incoming chief executive Brian Barwick has advocated such a move, FIFA are adamant it will not happen. Siegler said they were "strongly against" using replays and added: "The only thing that could be considered is the technology to decide whether or not the ball has crossed the line."

Keith Hackett, a former referee who is in charge of the training and management of match officials, said the system would have to be fully researched. "There is no point in introducing technology without understanding the wider issues. If the ball has crossed the line, when does a match official inform the referee? If it hasn't, how is the game restarted?"

Hackett empathised with the officials at Old Trafford. "The referee's assistant didn't have the pace (to keep up with the ball). But an Olympic sprinter might not have had the speed to get into position to make that judgment."

His organisation will consider withdrawing Clattenburg and Lewis from future games but both are free to be involved in tomorrow's FA Cup third round tie between Burnley and Liverpool at Turf Moor.