Green light for goal-line technology in soccer

Fifa, the international football (soccer) governing body, has confirmed goal-line technology will be used at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. The system was successfully tested at the Club World Cup in December, and will be used again for this summer's Confederations Cup. Fifa president Sepp Blatter had previously revealed that he is committed to bringing in goal-line technology for the tournament in Brazil. Blatter has voiced his support for goal-line technology ever since he watched Frank Lampard denied a legitimate goal in England's defeat by Germany in the 2010 World Cup. He subsequently apologized for the mistake caused by Uruguayan referee Jorge Larrionda failing to spot the midfielder's shot had bounced over the line after hitting the underside of the crossbar. Blatter also insisted video technology was a "necessity" after a controversial incident in England's 1-0 win over Euro 2012 opponents Ukraine. In that match Ukraine forward Marko Devic's shot crossed England's goal-line but a goal was not awarded. There are two systems that are being used at the moment, Goalref and Hawkeye, both were used at the Club World Cup and have Fifa approval. Goalref works by using magnetic sensors to determine whether the ball crossed the line, while Hawkeye uses multiple cameras to determine the exact position of the ball. Two German firms are also likely to bid, with the tender expected to be awarded by early April. A Fifa statement said: "After a successful implementation of Goal-Line Technology (GLT) at the Club World Cup in Japan in December 2012, Fifa has decided to use GLT at the 2013 Confederations Cup in Brazil and the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. The aim is to use GLT in order to support the match officials and to install a system in all stadia, pending the successful installation, and pre-match referee tests." You can already bet on the outcome of the 2014 World Cup at Bet365, here are the odds for the top three favourites: Brazil - 3/1 Spain - 5/1 Argentina - 5/1