Time to get rid of that fifth referee next to the goal-line and make room for the goal-line technology. FIFA approved goal-line technology Thursday July 5, 2012 after years of controversial discussions.
The topic of possible goal-line technology resurfaced during this summer's Eurocup 2012.
The match between Ukraine and England stirred controversy when John Terry seemingly cleared the ball of the line, but the replay footage said something completely different. The ball seemed to have crossed the line, which would have possibly helped the Ukrainians into the quarter finals with a tie.
The fifth referee was present and seemed to have observed the play, but the human eye seems to not have cut it for the FIFA officials. FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter addressed the situation and knew that further discussion of the possible goal-line technology would have to take place.
Not even a week after the Eurocup final, Platini and his board met in order to come to the final decision. The final decision approved goal-line technology.
Tests were organized in various professional stadiums in order to perfect goal-line technology and were properly observed for the FIFA representatives.
The purpose of the goal-line technology is to aid the referee in the decision of whether or not the ball crossed the line of the goal. The system will alert the central referee only by sending a signal to his watch through vibrations or a visual signal.
Perhaps the most obvious goal that shed light on the necessity of goal-line technology was the supposed non-existant goal by Frank Lampard in the 2010 South Africa FIFA World Cup.
"We didn't have accurate systems in the past. After what happened in South Africa, I have to say thank you Lampard. It took me a day to recover, I was really down and shocked," said Blatter.
