FIFA head hails goal tech advances

AFP
FIFA president Sepp Blatter is pictured in September

SAO PAULO (AFP) –

FIFA president Sepp Blatter, pictured in September, hailed technical advances in the game as the organisation prepares to try out goalline technology at the upcoming World Club Cup in Japan.

FIFA president Sepp Blatter hailed technical advances in the game Friday as the organisation prepares to try out goalline technology at the upcoming World Club Cup in Japan.

“There is no revolution in football — there is evolution. There will always be errors from referees because they are human beings,” said Blatter.

World governing body FIFA has been trying out two technologies and will put them to the tournament test at the Club World Cup starting December 6 in Japan with the better version being maintained for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

Two systems — one German, one English — have been certified by FIFA and are now fighting one another for the right to be used in Brazil in two years’ time.

Blatter says a certain dose of hi-tech is acceptable — but no more.

“I want to insist this is the only technology we have on the field … because we have to maintain the specifity of our game and the fascination of football,” he said.

“Let’s help referees when it comes to this very difficult sitiation to judge if the ball is in or out.”

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