Goal line technology approved by rule makers

Goal-line technology to confirm whether or not the ball has crossed the line was approved by world soccer's rule makers on Thursday, ending a decade of debate and controversy.

The International Football Association Board (IFAB) approved the use of two different technology systems which FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke said would be used at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

"We have decided to use the system at the Club World Cup in Tokyo (in December), at the Confederations Cup (in 2013) and the 2014 World Cup," Valcke told reporters.

The IFAB also approved the use of five-man refereeing teams, featuring an extra linesman behind each goal-line in addition to the two on the touchlines.

These have been used on an experimental basis recently in several competitions including the Champions League and Euro 2012.

Pioneered by UEFA, the system was credited at Euro 2012 with reducing the amount of pushing in the penalty area as well as cutting down on players attempting to win penalties by diving.

"The IFAB has been around since 1886, it's been the guardian of the laws of the game all that time, it has developed slowly, conservatively and carefully to try and improve the game on a worldwide basis," said Patrick Nelson, a board member from Northern Ireland.

"The decisions we made today are all ones which will be long-lasting and will resonate throughout the world and they have been taken very carefully."

"The IFAB has made some very good, fundamental and momentous decisions here today," added Jonathan Ford from Wales.

Goal-line technology will be used in incidents where it is impossible for match officials to determine with the naked eye whether the ball has crossed the goal line.

These would include cases where it bounces down off the underside of the crossbar and is cleared away by a defender.