FIFA says goal-line technology to be used at WCup

Zurich, Feb 20 (AP) FIFA committed to using goal-line technology at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, and could have four systems competing for selection. FIFA said it is now seeking tenders from companies which want their system to be used at the Confederations Cup in June and next year's World Cup. "Interested GLT companies will be invited to join an inspection visit to the Confederations Cup venues, currently scheduled for mid-March, with a final decision due to be confirmed in early April," FIFA said in a statement yesterday. FIFA President Sepp Blatter insisted on giving World Cup referees high-tech aids to make goal-line decisions after seeing England midfielder Frank Lampard have a clear goal denied against Germany at the 2010 tournament in South Africa. The decision was expected once FIFA's rule-making panel, known as IFAB, decided last July to approve goal-line technology at competitive matches after two systems passed extensive tests. The camera-based Hawk-Eye system and GoalRef, which uses magnetic sensors, were used at the Club World Cup in Japan in December. Those two systems were expected to compete for World Cup duty, though two competitors are making late entries in the contest. FIFA said two German systems have completed tests and could soon be approved for use. The companies are not being formally identified until licensing is approved. One system has passed tests devised for FIFA by a Zurich-based technical institute, and results for the second are expected this month, FIFA said. More (AP) AH AH 02201030 NNNN