Goal-line technology
Encyclopedia
In association football, goal-line technology is a proposed technology currently in testing stages, which determines when the ball has completely crossed goal line, assisting the referee
in calling a goal or not. So far FIFA
, footballs governing body, has resisted goal-line technology as well as other proposed ideas such as instant replay and adding extra officials. FIFA officials do not want the game of football to lose the element of human error or the continuity of the game. However, in the wake of recent controversial calls made in both the FA Premier League and the 2010 World Cup FIFA is now testing potential candidates for goal line technology. Nine systems are currently being tested in stadiums across Europe
. A series of tests will be run until March of 2012 that will test for accuracy under different scenarios and settings, such as illumination, speed of the ball, and different angles of trajectory. With multiple systems in testing stages there is competition. If multiple systems meet the criteria and pass the testing stages they will become licensed products by the IFAB and they will be available on the market for different leagues or teams to buy. If FIFA allows goal-line technology it could be applied by the 2014 World Cup in Brazil
.
and Tottenham Hotspur F.C.
, in which Tottenham midfielder Pedro Mendes
hit a shot 45 yards from goal. United goalkeeper Roy Carroll
caught the ball and then dropped it at least a yard over the line before hitting it back out, but neither the referee
nor the linesman
saw the ball cross the line.
In response to this, FIFA decided to test a system by Adidas
in which a football with an embedded microchip
would send a signal to the referee if it crossed a sensor going through the goal. According to FIFA president Sepp Blatter
: "We did different tests at the Under-17 World Cup in Peru but the evidence wasn't clear so we will carry out trials in junior competitions in 2007". However, those trials did not materialise and by 2008, Blatter had rejected the system outright, describing the technology as 'only 95% accurate'.
Another incident occurred in August 2009 in a league match between Crystal Palace
and Bristol City
. Striker Freddie Sears
knocked the ball over the line from close range, but the ball bounced off the stanchion
below the net and then came back out. The goal was not given and Palace manager Neil Warnock
was furious. In March 2010, the International Football Association Board
, which determines the laws of the game, voted 6-2 to permanently ditch the technology, with the Scotland and England football associations casting the dissenting votes. In a recent poll of 48 captains in the UEFA Europa League, 90% of respondents said that they wanted goal-line technology introduced.
Following several refereeing errors at the 2010 FIFA World Cup
– including the disallowed goal in Germany's 4-1 victory over England, when Frank Lampard
hit a shot from outside of the penalty box that bounced off the crossbar and over the line; the ball came back out and the goal was disallowed because the assistant referee did not call for a goal – Blatter announced that FIFA would reopen the goal-line technology discussion.
Another instance of a controversial call was Chelsea
’s 2-1 victory over Tottenham
. Frank Lampard
hit a shot just before halftime that slipped through the legs of the goalie, and almost crossed the line before being tipped back into play, however the assistant called for a goal and Chelsea tied the game. Chelsea went on to win the game after another controversial offside call.
The Hawk-Eye system was first developed by Dr. Paul Hawkins in 1999. The Hawk-Eye system has since been improved by engineers at Roke Manor Research Limited
and is an existing technology currently used in cricket
, tennis
and snooker
. It is based on the principle of triangulation
using the visual images and timing data provided by high-speed video cameras at different locations around the area of play. The system uses six, spread out, high speed cameras to triangulate and track the ball in flight. The software calculates the ball’s location for each frame by identifying the pixels that correspond to the ball through at least two cameras. The margin of error for the system is 3.6 millimeters. The software can track the ball and predict the flight path even if several cameras are being blocked and as long as 25 percent of it is visible. The high speed cameras allow the ball to be tracked even if they only cross the line for a fraction of a second. The ball would have to travel an unattainable 500 kilometers per hour to avoid detection. The system also records the ball's flight path and stores it in a database that is used to create a graphic image of the flight path and the field so the images can be shown to commentators, coaches, and audiences. The data from the system can also be used to determine statistics for players and analyze their trends The proposal involves placing six cameras in the stands at each end of the field at a total cost of £250,000. The system is not real-time, so play has to stop for the referee or another match official to review the disputed play. According to Paul Hawkins, the inventor of the system, the ball needs to be at least 25 percent visible to be foolproof.
Critics of the system claim the system will slow down the game and that the statistical margin of error is too large. Both Roger Federer
and Rafael Nadal
have criticised the accuracy of the system in tennis (though Roger Federer now supports the use of the system in football).
, the GLT system uses a magnetic field to track a ball with a sensor suspended inside. Thin cables with electrical current running through them are buried in the penalty box and behind the goal line to make a grid. The sensor measures the magnetic grids and relays the data to a computer which determines if the ball has crossed the line or not. If the ball does cross the line a radio signal is sent to the referee’s watch within a second. Adidas designed a ball that could suspend and keep a sensor safe and intact even when the ball is struck with great force. Along with the GLT system comes the VIS.Track system that can indicate offsides calls with transponders on players shin pads, as well as keep track of and give real time game statistics, and player movements. The VIS.Track system allows coaches fans and commentators to track players and the ball, supposedly allowing coaches to improve their team's performance. Cairos claims this all happens in a matter of micro-seconds, addressing critics' concerns that the technology might slow down the game. An older system developed by Cairos was trialed at the 2005 FIFA U-17 World Championship
but found not to be fast or accurate enough.
’s disallowed goal in the 2010 World Cup the interest in goal line technology spiked causing FIFA
to investigate the possibility of implanting goal-line technology. The technology that uses high speed cameras built into the goal posts and cross bar to record images at 2000 frames per second and deliver visual evidence to the referee, in less than five seconds, to settle a goal line controversy. With this technology there is no calibration just visual evidence. The system is thought to be cheaper because less expensive cameras will be needed and the field will not have to be dug into. Goalminder has been invited to take more tests by FIFA. Goal line Technology would not only suit the high premier league teams but it would also help the lower league teams in the Npower division.
. Apart from the criticisms revolving around the technical aspects of the two proposed technologies, critics point out that such technology would impact on the human element of the game and remove the enjoyment of debating mistakes. Sepp Blatter has been quoted as saying "Other sports regularly change the laws of the game to react to the new technology. ... We don't do it and this makes the fascination and the popularity of football".
A study suggested that in the 2010-2011 FA Premier League season “errors took place nearly 30% of the time that video replays could help prevent” however many people criticize instant replay with regards to soccer claiming that instant replay would interrupt the flow of the game and take away possible plays.
Other critics believe it would be prohibitively expensive to implement the technology at all levels of the game and particularly for smaller/poorer football associations. FIFA officials have expressed a preference for 'better refereeing' as well as more match officials over implementing the technology.
Advocates in turn cite the many examples of incorrect goal-line decisions deciding important games and point out that the technology has improved much since the initial trials carried out by FIFA. Advocates contend that any extra help for the referee should outweigh arguments that it would lead to non-uniform rules (since not all football associations would be able to implement it).
Sepp Blatter
the president of FIFA
had been opposed to goal-line technology until Frank Lampard
’s disallowed goal in the 2010 World Cup. He now says that the technology could be in place by the 2014 World Cup in Brazil
. UEFA
president, Michel Platini
will likely oppose the plan, and instead propose addition referees beside each goal.
Referee
A referee is the person of authority, in a variety of sports, who is responsible for presiding over the game from a neutral point of view and making on the fly decisions that enforce the rules of the sport...
in calling a goal or not. So far FIFA
FIFA
The Fédération Internationale de Football Association , commonly known by the acronym FIFA , is the international governing body of :association football, futsal and beach football. Its headquarters are located in Zurich, Switzerland, and its president is Sepp Blatter, who is in his fourth...
, footballs governing body, has resisted goal-line technology as well as other proposed ideas such as instant replay and adding extra officials. FIFA officials do not want the game of football to lose the element of human error or the continuity of the game. However, in the wake of recent controversial calls made in both the FA Premier League and the 2010 World Cup FIFA is now testing potential candidates for goal line technology. Nine systems are currently being tested in stadiums across Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
. A series of tests will be run until March of 2012 that will test for accuracy under different scenarios and settings, such as illumination, speed of the ball, and different angles of trajectory. With multiple systems in testing stages there is competition. If multiple systems meet the criteria and pass the testing stages they will become licensed products by the IFAB and they will be available on the market for different leagues or teams to buy. If FIFA allows goal-line technology it could be applied by the 2014 World Cup in Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
.
History
The question of the inclusion of goal-line technology began to be raised in 2005 after a game between Manchester United F.C.Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
and Tottenham Hotspur F.C.
Tottenham Hotspur F.C.
Tottenham Hotspur Football Club , commonly referred to as Spurs, is an English Premier League football club based in Tottenham, north London. The club's home stadium is White Hart Lane....
, in which Tottenham midfielder Pedro Mendes
Pedro Mendes
Pedro Miguel da Silva Mendes is a Portuguese footballer who plays as a midfielder for Vitória Guimarães of the Portuguese first division .Starting his career with home town club Vitória de Guimarães, Mendes won a UEFA Champions League medal with FC Porto in 2004...
hit a shot 45 yards from goal. United goalkeeper Roy Carroll
Roy Carroll
Roy Eric Carroll is a Northern Irish footballer who is currently playing for Greek Superleague club OFI Crete. He is a goalkeeper and is best known for his spells at Wigan Athletic and Manchester United, where he won the 2004 FA Cup...
caught the ball and then dropped it at least a yard over the line before hitting it back out, but neither the referee
Referee
A referee is the person of authority, in a variety of sports, who is responsible for presiding over the game from a neutral point of view and making on the fly decisions that enforce the rules of the sport...
nor the linesman
Assistant referee (association football)
In association football, an assistant referee is one of several officials who assist the referee in controlling a match. Two officials, traditionally known as linesmen , stand on the touchlines, while a fourth official assists administrative or other match related tasks as directed by the referee...
saw the ball cross the line.
In response to this, FIFA decided to test a system by Adidas
Adidas
Adidas AG is a German sports apparel manufacturer and parent company of the Adidas Group, which consists of the Reebok sportswear company, TaylorMade-Adidas golf company , and Rockport...
in which a football with an embedded microchip
Integrated circuit
An integrated circuit or monolithic integrated circuit is an electronic circuit manufactured by the patterned diffusion of trace elements into the surface of a thin substrate of semiconductor material...
would send a signal to the referee if it crossed a sensor going through the goal. According to FIFA president Sepp Blatter
Sepp Blatter
Joseph S. Blatter , commonly known as Sepp Blatter, is a Swiss football administrator, who serves as the 8th and current President of FIFA . He was elected on 8 June 1998, succeeding João Havelange. He was re-elected as President in 2002, 2007, and 2011...
: "We did different tests at the Under-17 World Cup in Peru but the evidence wasn't clear so we will carry out trials in junior competitions in 2007". However, those trials did not materialise and by 2008, Blatter had rejected the system outright, describing the technology as 'only 95% accurate'.
Another incident occurred in August 2009 in a league match between Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace F.C.
Crystal Palace Football Club are an English Football league club based in South Norwood, London. The team plays its home matches at Selhurst Park, where they have been based since 1924. The club currently competes in the second tier of English Football, The Championship.Crystal Palace was formed in...
and Bristol City
Bristol City F.C.
Bristol City Football Club is one of two football league clubs in Bristol, England . They play at Ashton Gate, located in the south-west of the City...
. Striker Freddie Sears
Freddie Sears
Frederick David "Freddie" Sears is an English professional footballer who plays as a forward for West Ham United.-Background:...
knocked the ball over the line from close range, but the ball bounced off the stanchion
Stanchion
A stanchion is an upright bar or post, often providing support for some other object.* An architectural term applied to the upright iron bars in windows that pass through the eyes of the saddle bars or horizontal irons to steady the leadlight. A stanchion is an upright bar or post, often...
below the net and then came back out. The goal was not given and Palace manager Neil Warnock
Neil Warnock
Neil Warnock is an English former footballer who is currently manager of English Premier League club Queens Park Rangers....
was furious. In March 2010, the International Football Association Board
International Football Association Board
The International Football Association Board is the body that determines the Laws of the Game of association football.-Operations:...
, which determines the laws of the game, voted 6-2 to permanently ditch the technology, with the Scotland and England football associations casting the dissenting votes. In a recent poll of 48 captains in the UEFA Europa League, 90% of respondents said that they wanted goal-line technology introduced.
Following several refereeing errors at the 2010 FIFA World Cup
2010 FIFA World Cup
The 2010 FIFA World Cup was the 19th FIFA World Cup, the world championship for men's national association football teams. It took place in South Africa from 11 June to 11 July 2010...
– including the disallowed goal in Germany's 4-1 victory over England, when Frank Lampard
Frank Lampard
Frank James Lampard is an English professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for Chelsea and the England national team. He also holds the position of vice-captain for his club side...
hit a shot from outside of the penalty box that bounced off the crossbar and over the line; the ball came back out and the goal was disallowed because the assistant referee did not call for a goal – Blatter announced that FIFA would reopen the goal-line technology discussion.
Another instance of a controversial call was Chelsea
Chelsea, London
Chelsea is an area of West London, England, bounded to the south by the River Thames, where its frontage runs from Chelsea Bridge along the Chelsea Embankment, Cheyne Walk, Lots Road and Chelsea Harbour. Its eastern boundary was once defined by the River Westbourne, which is now in a pipe above...
’s 2-1 victory over Tottenham
Tottenham
Tottenham is an area of the London Borough of Haringey, England, situated north north east of Charing Cross.-Toponymy:Tottenham is believed to have been named after Tota, a farmer, whose hamlet was mentioned in the Domesday Book; hence Tota's hamlet became Tottenham...
. Frank Lampard
Frank Lampard
Frank James Lampard is an English professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for Chelsea and the England national team. He also holds the position of vice-captain for his club side...
hit a shot just before halftime that slipped through the legs of the goalie, and almost crossed the line before being tipped back into play, however the assistant called for a goal and Chelsea tied the game. Chelsea went on to win the game after another controversial offside call.
Hawk-Eye
- See main article Hawk-EyeHawk-EyeHawk-Eye is a complex computer system used in cricket, tennis and other sports to visually track the trajectory of the ball and display a record of its most statistically likely path as a moving image. In cricket and tennis, it is now part of the adjudication process. It was developed by engineers...
.
The Hawk-Eye system was first developed by Dr. Paul Hawkins in 1999. The Hawk-Eye system has since been improved by engineers at Roke Manor Research Limited
Roke Manor Research Limited
Founded in 1956, Roke Manor Research Limited is a UK company based at Roke Manor in Romsey, Hampshire. It is a contract research and development business for communications, networks, and electronic sensors. In addition to supporting Chemring, work is also conducted in both the public and private...
and is an existing technology currently used in cricket
Cricket
Cricket is a bat-and-ball game played between two teams of 11 players on an oval-shaped field, at the centre of which is a rectangular 22-yard long pitch. One team bats, trying to score as many runs as possible while the other team bowls and fields, trying to dismiss the batsmen and thus limit the...
, tennis
Tennis
Tennis is a sport usually played between two players or between two teams of two players each . Each player uses a racket that is strung to strike a hollow rubber ball covered with felt over a net into the opponent's court. Tennis is an Olympic sport and is played at all levels of society at all...
and snooker
Snooker
Snooker is a cue sport that is played on a green baize-covered table with pockets in each of the four corners and in the middle of each of the long side cushions. A regular table is . It is played using a cue and snooker balls: one white , 15 worth one point each, and six balls of different :...
. It is based on the principle of triangulation
Triangulation
In trigonometry and geometry, triangulation is the process of determining the location of a point by measuring angles to it from known points at either end of a fixed baseline, rather than measuring distances to the point directly...
using the visual images and timing data provided by high-speed video cameras at different locations around the area of play. The system uses six, spread out, high speed cameras to triangulate and track the ball in flight. The software calculates the ball’s location for each frame by identifying the pixels that correspond to the ball through at least two cameras. The margin of error for the system is 3.6 millimeters. The software can track the ball and predict the flight path even if several cameras are being blocked and as long as 25 percent of it is visible. The high speed cameras allow the ball to be tracked even if they only cross the line for a fraction of a second. The ball would have to travel an unattainable 500 kilometers per hour to avoid detection. The system also records the ball's flight path and stores it in a database that is used to create a graphic image of the flight path and the field so the images can be shown to commentators, coaches, and audiences. The data from the system can also be used to determine statistics for players and analyze their trends The proposal involves placing six cameras in the stands at each end of the field at a total cost of £250,000. The system is not real-time, so play has to stop for the referee or another match official to review the disputed play. According to Paul Hawkins, the inventor of the system, the ball needs to be at least 25 percent visible to be foolproof.
Critics of the system claim the system will slow down the game and that the statistical margin of error is too large. Both Roger Federer
Roger Federer
Roger Federer is a Swiss professional tennis player who held the ATP no. 1 position for a record 237 consecutive weeks, and 285 weeks overall. As of 28 November 2011, he is ranked World No. 3 by the Association of Tennis Professionals . Federer has won a men's record 16 Grand Slam singles titles...
and Rafael Nadal
Rafael Nadal
Rafael "Rafa" Nadal Parera is a Spanish professional tennis player and a former World No. 1. , he is ranked No. 2 by the Association of Tennis Professionals...
have criticised the accuracy of the system in tennis (though Roger Federer now supports the use of the system in football).
Cairos GLT system
Produced by a German company Carios Technologies AG, alongside AdidasAdidas
Adidas AG is a German sports apparel manufacturer and parent company of the Adidas Group, which consists of the Reebok sportswear company, TaylorMade-Adidas golf company , and Rockport...
, the GLT system uses a magnetic field to track a ball with a sensor suspended inside. Thin cables with electrical current running through them are buried in the penalty box and behind the goal line to make a grid. The sensor measures the magnetic grids and relays the data to a computer which determines if the ball has crossed the line or not. If the ball does cross the line a radio signal is sent to the referee’s watch within a second. Adidas designed a ball that could suspend and keep a sensor safe and intact even when the ball is struck with great force. Along with the GLT system comes the VIS.Track system that can indicate offsides calls with transponders on players shin pads, as well as keep track of and give real time game statistics, and player movements. The VIS.Track system allows coaches fans and commentators to track players and the ball, supposedly allowing coaches to improve their team's performance. Cairos claims this all happens in a matter of micro-seconds, addressing critics' concerns that the technology might slow down the game. An older system developed by Cairos was trialed at the 2005 FIFA U-17 World Championship
2005 FIFA U-17 World Championship
The 2005 FIFA U-17 World Championship was held in the cities of Lima, Trujillo, Chiclayo, Piura and Iquitos in Peru between 16 September and 2 October 2005. Players born after 1 January 1988 could participate in this tournament...
but found not to be fast or accurate enough.
Goalminder
The Goalminder system has two co-founders Harry Barnes and Dave Parden who first thought of the system after their favorite team, the Bolton Wanderers, was relegated due to a wrongly disallowed goal. The technology was not picked up at the time, but after Frank LampardFrank Lampard
Frank James Lampard is an English professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for Chelsea and the England national team. He also holds the position of vice-captain for his club side...
’s disallowed goal in the 2010 World Cup the interest in goal line technology spiked causing FIFA
FIFA
The Fédération Internationale de Football Association , commonly known by the acronym FIFA , is the international governing body of :association football, futsal and beach football. Its headquarters are located in Zurich, Switzerland, and its president is Sepp Blatter, who is in his fourth...
to investigate the possibility of implanting goal-line technology. The technology that uses high speed cameras built into the goal posts and cross bar to record images at 2000 frames per second and deliver visual evidence to the referee, in less than five seconds, to settle a goal line controversy. With this technology there is no calibration just visual evidence. The system is thought to be cheaper because less expensive cameras will be needed and the field will not have to be dug into. Goalminder has been invited to take more tests by FIFA. Goal line Technology would not only suit the high premier league teams but it would also help the lower league teams in the Npower division.
Criticism
While advocates for goal-line technology maintain that it would significantly reduce refereeing errors during play, there are also criticisms of the technology. Much of the criticism comes from within FIFA itself including FIFA president Sepp BlatterSepp Blatter
Joseph S. Blatter , commonly known as Sepp Blatter, is a Swiss football administrator, who serves as the 8th and current President of FIFA . He was elected on 8 June 1998, succeeding João Havelange. He was re-elected as President in 2002, 2007, and 2011...
. Apart from the criticisms revolving around the technical aspects of the two proposed technologies, critics point out that such technology would impact on the human element of the game and remove the enjoyment of debating mistakes. Sepp Blatter has been quoted as saying "Other sports regularly change the laws of the game to react to the new technology. ... We don't do it and this makes the fascination and the popularity of football".
A study suggested that in the 2010-2011 FA Premier League season “errors took place nearly 30% of the time that video replays could help prevent” however many people criticize instant replay with regards to soccer claiming that instant replay would interrupt the flow of the game and take away possible plays.
Other critics believe it would be prohibitively expensive to implement the technology at all levels of the game and particularly for smaller/poorer football associations. FIFA officials have expressed a preference for 'better refereeing' as well as more match officials over implementing the technology.
Advocates in turn cite the many examples of incorrect goal-line decisions deciding important games and point out that the technology has improved much since the initial trials carried out by FIFA. Advocates contend that any extra help for the referee should outweigh arguments that it would lead to non-uniform rules (since not all football associations would be able to implement it).
Sepp Blatter
Sepp Blatter
Joseph S. Blatter , commonly known as Sepp Blatter, is a Swiss football administrator, who serves as the 8th and current President of FIFA . He was elected on 8 June 1998, succeeding João Havelange. He was re-elected as President in 2002, 2007, and 2011...
the president of FIFA
FIFA
The Fédération Internationale de Football Association , commonly known by the acronym FIFA , is the international governing body of :association football, futsal and beach football. Its headquarters are located in Zurich, Switzerland, and its president is Sepp Blatter, who is in his fourth...
had been opposed to goal-line technology until Frank Lampard
Frank Lampard
Frank James Lampard is an English professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for Chelsea and the England national team. He also holds the position of vice-captain for his club side...
’s disallowed goal in the 2010 World Cup. He now says that the technology could be in place by the 2014 World Cup in Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
. UEFA
UEFA
The Union of European Football Associations , almost always referred to by its acronym UEFA is the administrative and controlling body for European association football, futsal and beach soccer....
president, Michel Platini
Michel Platini
Michel François Platini is a former French football player, manager and current president of UEFA. Platini was a member of the French national team that won the 1984 European Championship, a tournament in which he was the top goalscorer and voted the best player. He participated in the 1978, 1982...
will likely oppose the plan, and instead propose addition referees beside each goal.